A new national report from Cleveland Clinic is shedding light on the growing financial, emotional and informational pressures many women face when it comes to managing their health.
The report, released Thursday by Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, surveyed 2,000 women ages 18 and older across the country and found many women are more concerned about being able to afford healthcare as they age than developing serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the findings, 45 percent of women said their biggest concern about aging is not having enough money to take care of their health. Nearly half also rated their financial health as “fair” or “poor,” highlighting how cost and insurance concerns continue to shape decisions about when, or whether, women seek medical care.
The report also found caregiving responsibilities are taking a toll on many women. Women providing unpaid care for others reported higher levels of stress, fatigue and guilt about prioritizing their own health compared to women who are not caregivers.
Researchers say the findings point to larger gaps in prevention, education and access to reliable health information across generations.
The survey found younger women are more likely to visit gynecologists or women’s health specialists, while older women reported feeling more comfortable discussing sexual health concerns with their doctors.
The report also highlighted significant knowledge gaps around women’s health issues. More than two in five women surveyed were unaware menopause can affect the heart, brain and bones, while only 19 percent knew women face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease despite accounting for nearly two-thirds of cases nationwide.
Maria Shriver, founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at Cleveland Clinic and co-founder of the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, called the findings a “crisis” in how women understand and manage their health across their lifetimes.
Cleveland Clinic leaders say the report underscores the need for clearer health guidance, better communication and improved access to affordable care for women at every stage of life.
The findings were shared during the Global Women’s Health and Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Forum hosted by Cleveland Clinic this week in Cleveland.
