Balancing Act: Addressing Women's Health Challenges in the Modern Workplace

Insights from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Women's Health Event - April 15, 2025

In a world where women juggle careers, households, caregiving responsibilities, and their own wellbeing, something often gets sacrificed—and too frequently, it's their personal health. This was the powerful message that resonated throughout our recent Women's Health Event, where healthcare leaders gathered to discuss the unique health challenges facing working women today.

The Invisible Burden

"If mothers are given the choice, even if they have their own needs, they will always prioritize the needs of their children," noted Dr. Saima Aftab, SVP Chief Strategy Officer and President of Network Services at Nicklaus Children's Health System. This sentiment captures the essence of what many working women experience—an almost instinctive deprioritization of their own health needs.

The event highlighted a striking reality: women's to-do lists have become increasingly complex. Beyond advancing careers and managing households, many are simultaneously caring for children and/or aging parents. In this juggling act, personal health appointments are often the first items rescheduled or canceled entirely.

Changing Landscapes

The landscape of women's health is evolving rapidly. For the first time, pregnancies among women over 40 now outnumber teen pregnancies—a significant demographic shift that brings new health considerations. As more women choose to delay pregnancy for career advancement or other reasons, there's an increasing need for specialized support for higher-risk pregnancies.

"There's a lot of things that are changing that are making women consider pregnancy a lot later in life," one speaker noted, emphasizing the importance of proactive health planning and preventative care.

Research Gaps and Historical Exclusion

Perhaps most concerning is the historical exclusion of women from medical research. Dr. Beatriz Perez Sanz of Genentech revealed a startling fact: between 1977 and 1993, women were largely excluded from Phase I and Phase II clinical drug trials. This legacy has created significant gaps in understanding how medications and treatments affect women specifically.

"When you think about women, you're talking about 50% of the population, however that population has not been prioritized," Dr. Perez Sanz explained. This exclusion means that treatments developed during those decades were primarily tested on male subjects, leaving questions about efficacy and side effects for women unanswered.

The Interconnection of Mother and Child Health

One of the most fascinating discussions centered on the biological connection between maternal and child health. Dr. Aftab shared that "fetal DNA stays in mom's bloodstream for decades after the baby is born," highlighting how deeply interconnected mother and child health truly are. Research on maternal health impacts "outcomes, disease prevalence, longevity, and health of children."

This biological link underscores why women's health isn't just a women's issue, it's a family issue with generational implications.

Workplace Support: From "Should" to "Must"

A critical theme throughout the event was transforming how workplaces support women's health needs. Speakers emphasized moving beyond telling women what they "should" do for their health and instead creating environments where healthy choices are accessible and normalized.

"As employers, normalize women being moms in a workplace," urged one speaker. "For women to be successful, they almost have to hide the other roles that they play as a mother and caregiver."

Genentech offered a compelling example by bringing health screenings directly to the office, recognizing that women often struggle to prioritize these appointments. Similarly, Nicklaus Children's Health System has deployed mobile mammography vans that can visit workplaces during lunch breaks, making preventative care accessible within the workday.

Breaking Down Barriers to Access

Dr. Morgan Sendzischew Shane highlighted how the UHealth Comprehensive Women's Health Alliance is reimagining women's healthcare access. Understanding that navigating healthcare systems has become increasingly complex, they've developed a model that connects women with appropriate care through a single point of contact.

"Instead of having to call multiple physicians and waiting on the phone to get your care coordinated, you can call one nurse navigator and one patient navigator," Dr. Shane explained. This team conducts comprehensive assessments and connects women with appropriate services based on their age, needs, and health concerns.

The most requested services reveal women's priorities: primary care (gynecology or internal medicine), nutrition counseling, gastroenterology services, and support for pelvic floor dysfunction.

Building an Ecosystem of Support

"We need to build an ecosystem of support for women," noted Moderator Eneida O. Roldan, MD, MPH, MBA, pointing to Scandinavian countries as examples of societies that provide robust support systems for women's health and wellbeing.

This ecosystem requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Workplace flexibility that acknowledges and accommodates caregiving responsibilities
2. On-site health services that bring preventative care to where women work
3. Comprehensive healthcare coordination that simplifies access
4. Women supporting women through mentorship and advocacy
5. Education and awareness about women's health needs across their lifespan

Moving Forward Together

The event concluded with a call to action: women's health challenges aren't just women's problems to solve. They require collective action from employers, healthcare systems, policy makers, and communities.

As one speaker eloquently put it, "You cannot be everywhere at one time." By creating support systems that acknowledge this reality and make health care more accessible, we can help ensure that women don't have to choose between caring for others and caring for themselves.

Women's health is not a niche concern—it's a fundamental component of workplace wellbeing, family health, and community strength. By addressing these challenges directly, we create environments where women can thrive personally and professionally, with positive ripple effects that extend far beyond individual health outcomes.