Women’s healthcare in India continues to face significant challenges, ranging from preventive health awareness to unequal access to insurance coverage. Strengthening preventive healthcare and promoting comprehensive insurance policies are essential to improving women’s long-term health outcomes.
Out of 148 countries, India ranked 131st in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), while the country stood at 143rd position in women’s health and survival rankings.
Although conversations around women’s health have gained momentum in recent years, a considerable gender gap still exists in access to healthcare and insurance services. This makes it essential to focus not only on preventive healthcare but also on increasing awareness regarding preventive health insurance coverage for women.
Health Issues Faced by Women
Different life stages — including menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause — often place a significant burden on women’s overall health.
Blood loss during menstruation, increased iron requirements during pregnancy and breastfeeding, along with inadequate dietary intake, make women more susceptible to anaemia.
Women also face a higher risk of reproductive health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstrual cycles and endometriosis.
Post-menopausal complications including osteoporosis, muscle loss, weight gain and mental health concerns are also common. Additionally, women remain vulnerable to breast, ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers.
Lifestyle Issues Affecting Women’s Health
Sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress and increased consumption of junk, processed and ultra-processed foods have significantly increased the risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol among women.
These conditions further elevate the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and kidney-related ailments, making preventive healthcare more important than ever.
Women and Insurance Coverage
Limited workforce participation and financial dependence on spouses often result in women not having independent health insurance policies. Instead, many women remain listed as dependents under their spouse’s insurance plans.
A similar trend is visible in corporate healthcare coverage, where homemakers and non-working women frequently rely on insurance provided through their spouse’s employer.
Importance of Preventive Healthcare for Women
Preventive healthcare focuses on identifying early signs and symptoms before diseases progress into severe conditions.
Essential preventive healthcare measures for women include HPV vaccination between the ages of nine and 14 for protection against HPV-related cancers.
Other important preventive screenings include:
- Periodic pap smear tests every three years to monitor cervical health
- Annual mammograms after the age of 40
- Bone mineral density tests post-menopause to assess bone health
However, frequent health screenings and doctor consultations can become financially challenging, often leading to delayed diagnosis and worsening health conditions.
Preventive Health Coverage
Choosing a comprehensive healthcare policy is essential to ensure coverage for preventive screenings and routine health tests.
Comprehensive insurance plans can significantly reduce the financial burden associated with periodic health check-ups and preventive healthcare measures over time.
However, lack of awareness remains one of the biggest roadblocks. Greater efforts are required to educate women about preventive healthcare and the benefits of comprehensive health insurance coverage.
Conclusion
Significant gender disparities continue to exist in healthcare access and insurance coverage for women in India.
As preventive healthcare remains one of the most effective approaches for reducing long-term health risks, increasing awareness about comprehensive health insurance policies is crucial to ensure preventive screenings and essential medical tests are covered.
