It’s International Women’s Day….and What Has Changed?
I am having some intense feels today…it being International Women’s Day and all. Pontificating on the fact that we, as women being cared for in this country, are no further ahead than we were in 1960. And, in some areas of the US, we’re starting from scratch as far as women’s reproductive rights. Ugh!
Here is the playing field right now:
According to the CDC, in 2020 861 women were identified as having died of maternal causes in the United States, compared with 754 in 2019. That’s a rate of 23.8 deaths per 100,000 births vs. that of 20.1 in 2019. The US is one of only two countries in the world in which the maternal mortality rate is going up – let me repeat that – in 2023, we are well on our way, again, to having the worst maternal mortality rate in the medically wealthiest country in the world. (CDC stats)
In an effort to further set women back 60+ years, Walgreens pharmacy has decided to no longer sell the drug mifepristone, part of a series of pills used in an abortion regiment, in 21 states where certain red attorney’s general have threatened legal action against pharmacies trying to distribute this emergency contraceptive. Since the repeal of Roe V. Wade, 13 states have made abortion illegal while others have tightened access to it. This deal with Walgreens is part of this belt tightening.
Tired of hearing about birth related issues? Ok, how about these stats:
11% of women in the United States have been diagnosed with endometriosis. This translates to more than 6.5 million women. It takes between 7-10 years to get a proper diagnosis and standard treatments include anti-depressants, opiods, benzos or even a combo of all 3! We know the stats about how addictive opiods are….and this is certainly NOT root cause treatment. (Learn more)
It takes an average of 4.5 years and over 4 doctors visits for women to get a diagnosis for autoimmune disorders. Remember the Golden Girls episode where Dorothy went to expert after expert for her Fibromyalgia and doctor after doctor just shrugged her off? Yah, that’s still happening. That episode aired in September of 1989. We have not improved since then!! I can’t make this stuff up….see for yourself. And what’s more–women make up 80% of all autoimmune disorders diagnosed.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. PCOS affects 6-12% (upwards of 5 million) of women of reproductive age. There are no treatments for PCOS besides pain medications and admonishments to lose weight. PSSST….guess what isn’t root cause treatment here? Here’s a newsflash- weight gain is a symptom of PCOS, as well as metabolic syndrome, irregular periods, thinning hair, acne, and insulin resistance which leads to type 2 diabetes. Instead of coming up with plans for treatment, we just shame women. Wow. That’s helpful. Here’s some stats about PCOS.
So, you think women being left to flounder doesn’t have anything to do with you? Ok, so 30% of women in the US are now entering or in menopause. 90% of doctors report having received no training on how to help women manage this transition or deal with symptoms. Here’s just one article on this issue. In fact, the majority of women I know have been told it’s just something to ‘deal’ with and it’s just part of aging. B.S. ya’ll. That’s just B.S.
Because I have a daughter that’s in a pre-med program, this little stat is near and dear to me…..Female physicians have a 250% higher rate of suicide than the rest of the population and 180% more than their male counterparts. That’s 2x the rate of all other working women. What in the actual F are we doing to women?!
If you don’t think it’s time to take to the streets for change, then perhaps you’re sleeping. If not now, then when?
You all know how vocal I am in our need for change in birth & postpartum care. If you aren’t familiar with my podcast, check me out at Tea with Jodi
If you want to get involved as I help change the ‘Black Hole’ of healthcare aka: postpartum care in the United States. Find me on socials @TeawithJodi @Tell me a story….about your birth @michiganfamilydoulas
