Improve outcomes for women specific conditions globally

Globally efforts to improve women’s health largely focus on maternal health, overlooking women’s health needs beyond pregnancy and childbirth. The weight given to the maternal health outcome neglects the full range of women’s health. Diseases that affect women are substantially under-studied and under resourced. Gynaecological cancers and conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, poly cystic syndrome, and cervical cancers might have been better understood if they also affected men. Since these are women-specific health issues that affect a woman’s quality of life across her lifespan, there has been little investment, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, to improve early diagnosis and treatment. For example, approximately 180 women globally with endometriosis remain undiagnosed and suffer from its symptoms like pain and infertility for almost seven years before getting diagnosed. Hence, more research and concerted action is needed to improve women’s health and to ensure that women in all their diversity can avail rights to health.

• Understanding the need for more research in women specific conditions, the Women’s Health Program brings together leading medical, social and data scientists to address the current lack of research and to develop interventions for improving women’s health and well-being. To maximize our impact, we have collaborated with partners globally. This collaboration allows us to expand our knowledge and tackle critical areas including gynecological morbidities and other women-specific conditions. Key projects are:
  Study and Action on Hysterectomy: Brings together epidemiologists, gynaecologists and health systems experts to understand the patterns, causes and consequences of hysterectomy on women’s health and well-being. Studies in three states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat) will be conducted and the understanding the views of women will be prioritized.
• Socio-ecological factors influencing cervical cancer screening and treatment: A qualitative study among marginalized women in India to understand the factors that have influenced the cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment.
• Women’s experience of living with Endometriosis and seeking medical treatment: A qualitative study to explore women’s experiences of endometriosis in India and its impact, involving women and their partners.
• Adapting to Better Life with Endometriosis (ABLE) intervention will be based on the Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) module incorporating patient education on endometriosis, group therapy and mindfulness activities. In addition to evaluating the intervention's efficacy, we aim to conduct an incremental financial cost analysis to ascertain the cost of its implementation. Additionally, the total economic burden of endometriosis, including out-of-pocket expenses and time-related losses, and coping strategies will be estimated.