Council leaders have warned that past cuts to public health funding could undermine government efforts to tackle major inequalities within women’s health.
The Government has published its first ever Women’s Health Strategy for England today, setting out how it will tackle the gender health gap.
The strategy includes £10m new funding for breast screening programme, tackling the 'postcode lottery' in access to IVF treatment, the introduction of a pregnancy loss certificate in England, and updating guidance for female specific health conditions like endometriosis.
Minister for women’s health, Maria Caulfield, said: 'Tackling the gender health gap will not be easy - there are deep seated, systemic issues we must address to ensure women receive the same standards of care as men, universally and by default.'
The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomed the new strategy but warned previous funding cuts could hinder progress in tackling inequalities in women's health.
'Although it is important that the strategy states that women should have access to high quality sexual and reproductive health, funding for these council commissioned services has declined significantly in recent years,' said Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.
'This is as a result of the public health grant being cut almost a quarter in real terms between over the last seven years and an almost 20% decrease of contraceptive spend in real terms since 2015.
'This strategy presents an opportunity to address and improve women’s health, making sure all women’s voices are heard and inequalities are understood and addressed. However, long term sustainable funding and a real terms increase in the public health budget are required to rectify past cuts and help councils and their partners deliver an integrated and comprehensive approach to improving women’s sexual and reproductive health.'
Data shows that while women live on average for longer than men, they spend more of their life in poor health.
