Women’s Health Needs in Birmingham (2024)
Women’s Health Needs in Birmingham (2024)The Gender-related Health Inequalities programme aims to influence and support local actions to reduce health inequalities affecting women, men and non-binary populations in Birmingham. Beneath these inequalities lie many interconnected factors such as social determinants, risk behaviours, and gender norms around health-seeking. There are also important intersectional factors, with certain subgroups of people being particularly disadvantaged – e.g. homeless people, sex workers or those in contact with the criminal justice system.
The Women’s Health Needs in Birmingham (2024) report aims to highlight key health inequalities experienced by women in Birmingham. The research found that women's health in Birmingham faces a number of challenges spanning the need for greater prevention of premature mortality linked to lifestyle-related risk factors, specialist, intersectional approaches to mental health service provision, improvements in maternal care, and a multi-agency approach to reducing violence against women and girls. 17.7% more women under 75 died from cancer in Birmingham compared to England (OHID, 2022). Despite women in Birmingham experiencing high mortality rates from circulatory, respiratory, and cancer-related illnesses, screening for cancers such as breast and cervical cancer remains lower than national. Furthermore, cardiovascular disease (CVDs) disproportionately affects Birmingham's female population. The prevalence of obesity, especially among marginalized communities, exacerbates health inequalities, with socioeconomic status strongly linked to risk factors including low rates of physical activity and lower levels of health literacy.
All the above highlight the growing need to develop a gender-based approach to reducing health inequalities in the city.
For further details, please visit: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50342/public_health_reports/2946/gender_health_inequalities
Birmingham Sex Workers Analysis of Health Needs (2024)
The Sex Worker Analysis of Health Needs (SWAN) report offers a comprehensive picture of sex workers in Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK.
The study that took place in 2023, highlights the health and wellbeing needs of sex workers and the degree to which these needs are being met. The findings have major implications for health policy and provision across the country.
The SWAN study provides evidence for how sex workers experience significant health inequalities because of their line of work.
Barriers to accessing services include stigma, concerns about safety and potential legal ramifications of disclosing their occupation. However, sex workers want and need the same level of access to services as everyone else. Indeed, sex workers are at higher risk of many health problems in comparison to non-sex workers, both with regards to sexual health and many health conditions.
It is hoped that the findings and recommendations in this report will be used to inform the design and delivery of health services in Birmingham, and more widely in the UK, to better meet the health needs of sex workers.
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