A Patient-Centered Approach to Chronic Conditions in Women’s Health Care  

Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, are the leading cause of death for women globally, accounting for 19 million deaths in women each year. NCDs most likely to affect women include cardio-kidney-metabolic diseases, obesity, as well as neurological diseases. These are long-term conditions that often require ongoing management and can affect every aspect of a person’s health, well-being and quality of life.  

As July is recognized as Chronic Disease Awareness Month, it is critical to acknowledge the importance of integrating women-centered care into interventions for NCDs. Women-centered care allows health care systems to put the needs of women first, as well as empower them to have more of an active role in their own health.  

Seeing the Full Picture of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Health 

Cardio-kidney-metabolic, or CKM health reflects the complex and interconnected relationship between cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and other metabolic conditions. Together, these conditions affect billions of women worldwide and often place them at increased risk for serious health complications. While many aspects of CKM are preventable or manageable through early detection and coordinated care, women are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated because symptoms can present differently and risk factors are often overlooked.  

Addressing CKM requires holistic and integrated approaches that brings together expertise from cardiology, nephrology and endocrinology specialties, while also recognizing each patient’s goals, priorities and lifestyle needs. Across the globe, health care leaders, policymakers and patient advocates are increasingly recognizing the importance of elevating women’s voices in decision-making and advancing multidisciplinary models of care. To learn more about these efforts, read the Partnership for Women’s Wellness’ recap of the Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Policy Forum held during the 79th World Health Assembly. 

Treating Obesity with Compassionate Care 

Data show that approximately 18.5 percent of women worldwide are living with obesity. As obesity rates continue to rise globally, women face an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and other diseases, which can significantly affect quality of life, limit daily activities and contribute to higher health care costs.  

Implementing patient-centered care for obesity requires its own nuances. It removes stigma from the patient, prioritizes holistic goal setting, and unifies multidisciplinary health care teams to support coordinated care through shared decision-making.  

Treating obesity with a woman-centered care approach, especially in its early stages, not only supports women’s health, but also strengthens families, communities and health systems over time.  

Recognizing Headache and Migraine as Whole-Person Conditions 

Migraine and headache are three times more common in women. Women are more likely to experience longer, more intense attacks, often due to hormonal changes throughout different stages of life. Because migraine can affect physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, caregiving responsibilities, work productivity and overall quality of life, it is important to recognize it as more than “just a headache.”  

As the number of women living with headache and migraine continues to grow, health care systems must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and recognize these conditions as complex chronic diseases that affect all aspects of a woman’s life. Effective care should address not only pain management, but also the emotional, social and financial burdens that often accompany migraine. A personalized treatment plan may include a combination of preventive and acute therapies, lifestyle modifications, mental health support and coordinated care tailored to each woman’s unique needs, preferences and life circumstances. By centering the patient experience, providers can help improve outcomes, reduce disease burden and enhance overall quality of life. 

Advancing Early, Integrated and Coordinated Care for Women  

PWW is committed to advancing screening, early detection and timely treatment for chronic diseases that disproportionately affect women. The coalition’s approach is expressed by this year’s During Chronic Disease Awareness Month theme, “Don’t Fight Alone”. PWW brings together patient organizations, health care providers, policymakers and other allied stakeholders to ensure that every woman has access to the comprehensive care throughout her health journey.