Philips underlines commitment to gender equity in healthcare on International Women’s Day

Gender-specific findings from the Healthy Living in Asia survey announced today show that despite women in Asia prioritizing health and well-being more than before the pandemic, the lack of time for selfcare due to work, family, and personal commitments and financial barriers are key obstacles preventing them from taking better care of their health. Over 2,000 women in Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand participated in the survey commissioned by Philips and conducted by research agency Kantar Profiles Network. The results highlight existing gender healthcare gaps in Asia and call for greater support and empowerment of women in prioritizing their own health and well-being.

Since the pandemic, nearly half of women in the survey are paying more attention to their overall physical (50%), mental (47%), and emotional health and wellness (47%) than before. Majority (95%) of women in the survey understand the importance of preventive health with about 86% of them regularly adopting healthier lifestyle practices and 84% regularly seeking healthcare information online. Nearly half (40%) feel that they could do more to take better care of their health, but only 29% of them regularly go for health checks and screenings. Majority state the lack of time due to work, family, and personal commitments (48%) and lack of finance resources (43%) as main barriers.

“Women make up almost half of the population in Asia and have a significant influence on the health and well-being of their families, communities, and economy. By elevating the importance of women’s healthcare and tailoring care according to their unique needs, we contribute to society’s progress in gender equity. It is encouraging to see that women’s health – and preventive health at large – has received higher attention in the region since the pandemic. Education and empowerment of women are key to driving more proactive healthcare actions,” said Caroline Clarke, CEO & EVP, Philips ASEAN Pacific.

Women in Asia continue to bear a disproportionate burden of caregiving in families and communities [3] and more support is needed to help them prioritize their own health while they juggle between work, family, and personal responsibilities. In the survey, women cited education on healthy living and more knowledge on using personal health technologies for health monitoring as some of the top ways to encourage preventive health actions. Nearly 70% said they are more likely to take some action and adjust their healthcare behaviour if they have access to these technologies. Almost 30% of the women surveyed now use personal health technologies and devices to actively monitor their health more than they did before the pandemic. Women also plan to use to digital health solutions more in the future. Three years from now, about 3 out of 4 women plan to use digital technologies to track general health and pre-existing diseases more than they do today.

“To improve the state of women’s health in Asia, prevention and early detection of diseases must be prioritized. Today, women in the region are still dying from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and many women’s health related conditions are often under-diagnosed and under-treated. At Philips, we are harnessing technologies to improve healthcare outcomes of women and girls globally. Digital technologies offer much hope in promoting health and education. By providing gender inclusive data and insights, we enable earlier diagnosis and more targeted and accessible solutions to women’s health issues,’’ added Ms Clarke.

Philips’ solutions are making a meaningful difference in obstetrics and gynaecology, and cardiovascular and cancer care. In the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology, for example, Philip’s ultrasounds and fetal and maternal monitoring solutions are game changers for at-risk pregnancies and are widening access to care for women in underserved communities. Philips Pregnancy+ app further supports women with reliable information and resources on pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. In supporting women’s overall health and wellness, Philips’ AI-powered toothbrush, coupled with the Sonicare Al-powered app, offers real-time guidance and personalized recommendations to improve users’ brushing habits, thereby enabling one to make lifestyle changes which bring long-lasting health benefits.

To better understand and meet women’s specific and diverse healthcare needs through innovation, Philips is committed to gender diversity in the workplace to ensure its employees across every level of the organization accurately represents the communities it serves. In Asia Pacific today, women comprise 66% of Philips’ workforce and more than 37% of its senior leadership roles. Worldwide, Philips is working towards over 30% female representation of its senior leadership by 2025.