Data shows men are more conscious about their health, go for check-ups than women

Team L&M

There is a dire need to raise awareness about women’s health in India. Traditionally, Indian women have always prioritized the well-being of their loved ones over their own, leading to neglect of their health. This is once again exemplified in the data released by Digital Healthcare Platform Medibuddy, which shows that more men than women undertake health check-ups.

As per Medibuddy, 60 per cent of the total health check-ups at Medibuddy were undertaken by men. Even when it comes to consultations, men ranked higher – the Medibuddy data shows a 10 per cent difference in the total doctor consultations, with more men seeking consultations than women.

Although it is a known fact that the female body undergoes constant changes and requires monitoring at every stage, many women relie on home remedies or ignore health complications, leading to a rise in health emergencies. Social conditioning, stigma, and lack of knowledge about menstruation and reproductive health also deter women from seeking healthcare. Additionally, women’s multiple roles as daughters, wives, mothers, and professionals often leave them with limited time for self-care. The emergence of digital consultations offers women an opportunity to overcome these barriers and more openly discuss their health concerns.

The Medibuddy data has once again brought forward the underlying concern of neglect of healthcare by women in the nation and highlights the lack of awareness both in the metros and the Tier II & III centres.

Among the metros, Bengaluru tops the list with 25 per cent of women taking health check-ups followed by Delhi at 15 per cent and Hyderabad at 10 per cent. Other prominent metros like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai lag in women’s participation in health consultations and check-ups. Women sought the highest number of consultations in categories such as Gynaecology, Dermatology, Pregnancy-related issues, Orthopaedics, and general check-ups.

Says Dr Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy, “Today women are at par with men in every walk of life, however, women are trailing where healthcare is concerned. Culturally, women with their varied roles in a family set up be it as a daughter or a wife or a mother tend to prioritise the well-being and health of their family over themselves. The recent data underlines the urgency of promoting awareness of good health among women. Women with their varied responsibilities managing home and work tend to feel pressed for time and may not actively reach out for consultations or health checks. However, Teleconsultations can make it easy for women to seek help and manage their health better. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is befitting to encourage the women in our lives to seek regular advice from health experts and not wait for serious emergencies.”

“Our campaign  #HerHealthMatters encourages women to prioritize their health and take the necessary steps to maintain it. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, and exercise can go a long way in ensuring a healthy lifestyle. Good health is not just an individual’s responsibility but a collective effort of the entire family,” she remarks.