Women in Europe Towards Healthy Ageing

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1 Women in Europe Towards Healthy Ageing Hildrun Sundseth European Institute of Women s Health

2 About the EIWH The European Institute of Women s Health is a health NGO launched in 1996 The EIWH aims to ensure a gender-sensitive approach to health policy, prevention, treatment, care and research in order to reduce health inequalities and improve quality. Organisation: Extensive multi-national network of patient groups, health NGOs, researchers, gender experts, politicians, and medical professionals Expert Advisory Board

3 Women in Europe - Towards Healthy Ageing The report was launched under the Irish EU Presidency in Historically, the subject of women s health was mainly considered to be reproductive health. The EIWH felt the health of women 50+ needed to be highlighted to ensure better quality of life and enable women to avoid chronic diseases disability and dependency.

4 Women s Longevity Europe has the highest proportion of older women in the world. The 80+ age group is mostly female and increasing. Women outlive men on average by 6 years in Europe. Those extra years are often burdened by chronic diseases and disability. EU 2020 Strategy calls for an increase of 2 healthy life years

5 The Chronic Disease Burden

6 Social Determinants of Health The determinants of health frequently lie outside the health sector Economic, social, education, employment, housing, human rights & gender equality, environment, etc Health in all Policies - Need for a multi-sectorial approach to achieve optimal health for all population groups. ENGENDER - Project examined best practice in gender equity in health:

7 Women at Work Women still make up most of the informal, unpaid carers in the family. Healthcare, social services and schools are also predominantly staffed by women. Employment for women 50+ is 37%. The EU 2020 strategy calls for 75% employment. Older women have less financial resources, lower pensions due to pay-gap, interrupted or part-time work

8 Investing in Prevention Develop long-term public health programmes to prevent or reduce disease and disability. Cancer is an excellent example of Europe acting together on prevention: The 2003 Council Recommendation calls for screening in 3 major cancers: breast, cervical and colon. The EIWH highlights prevention through the CanCom website; various meetings, conferences, articles. The EIWH is a collaborating partner of the European Partnership - Action against Cancer, a joint action to reduce the burden of cancer in Europe.

9 Prevention through Tobacco Control The EIWH highlights the dangers of smoking for women. Smoking plays an important role in most chronic diseases. Increasingly girls out-smoke boys in some EU countries Lung cancer is increasing among women. WHO and EU took vital approach to tobacco control. EU legislation banning tobacco advertising, programmes to stop smoking. Revision of Tobacco Products Directive.

10 Cardiovascular Disease Traditionally, CVD is considered a men s disease. Until menopause, hormones protect women from CVD. Women experience heart disease differently from men. Most research in the past has been conducted on men. Revision of Clinical Trials Directive - EP opportunity Include more women and older people in clinical trials and long-term studies

11 Musculoskeletal Disorders Osteoporosis strikes older women the hardest. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men of 50+ develop osteoporosis 80% of hip fractures occur in women. Much can now be done in preventing osteoporosis through lifestyle changes, best started at an early age, screening, and timely treatment. The EIWH welcomes that falls prevention is an action under the EIP-AHA

12 EIWH EY2012 Plans Update the Women in Europe - Towards Healthy Ageing Report Gender and Chronic Disease Policy Briefing Series European Parliament Roundtable on Ageing Women and Work In partnership with Business and Professional Women s Organisation, Nov 2012

13 Continuing our Advocacy Women in Europe -Towards Healthy Ageing pointed out that disease and disability are not inevitable accompaniments of growing older: Take a life course approach to health Invest in prevention and better management of the chronic disease burden to avoid disability and dependence in later life.

14 Collection of gender- and age-specific data across Europe. Recommendations Make health policies and systems more gender- and age-sensitive. Include women and older people in clinical trials Develop long-term public health programmes to prevent and reduce the chronic disease burden.

15 EIWH: Making Women s Health a Priority THANK YOU