Accolade Inc.
12/02/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2024 12:39
Women’s health: The untapped opportunity employers can’t afford to ignore
Women's health is complex, dynamic, and pivotal to a thriving workforce. Yet, many women are left to figure it out on their own while juggling careers, families, and a healthcare system that's anything but easy to navigate. The reality is that when women deprioritize their health, as research shows is happening more than ever, the fallout extends beyond personal well-being. It hits companies where it hurts - retention, productivity, and ultimately, the bottom line. [1, 2] Here's the good news: Employers have a unique opportunity to change this narrative. By making women's health a strategic priority, they can create workplaces where women thrive -unlocking greater engagement, retention, and business success.
Women's health is not one-size-fits-all
Women's health needs vary across life stages, and addressing them proactively is essential to fostering well-being and productivity:
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Young adulthood: Reproductive health, mental health, and preventative care dominate this phase. Without proper resources, young women often push these concerns aside. Yet early interventions here set the stage for lifelong health. Accolade's guide to supporting women's mental health dives into why this matters now more than ever.
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Midlife: Fertility, family planning, and hormonal health take center stage as women navigate the balance of work and personal life. This period is full of pivotal health decisions, but how often do employers step up to offer tailored support? Innovations in femtech and women's health are changing the game, and employers need to keep pace.
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Later life: Menopause, chronic conditions, and maintaining wellness become the priorities. Many women are still full throttle in their careers, but their health needs are rarely addressed with the specificity they deserve. Resources like Accolade's focus on maternity and women's health management underscore how critical tailored support is in these years.
Accolade's holistic approach to women's health
At Accolade, we're committed to providing personalized support for women at every stage of their health journey. From maternity care to menopause management, our comprehensive offerings ensure members feel supported through life's most critical transitions.
Maternity Management Program
Our Maternity Management Program offers personalized care to promote positive outcomes for both mom and baby:
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Access to experts: Consultations with nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, and behavioral health specialists.
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Tailored support: Customized care plans covering anatomy scans, glucose tolerance tests, preterm labor signs, and more.
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Risk management: Clinical triggers and risk stratification models to identify high-risk pregnancies.
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Comprehensive postpartum care: Guidance on newborn care, postpartum recovery, and navigating parental leave.
This program is further enhanced through Accolade's partnerships with Carrot Health and Kindbody, ensuring comprehensive women's health support from preconception and maternity to menopause and beyond, ensuring inclusive care throughout every state of life.
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Carrot Health provides inclusive fertility and family-forming benefits for all paths to parenthood, including adoption, gestational carrier support, fertility treatments, and more. Members receive personalized care plans, educational content, expert guidance, and support through menopause. From fertility to menopause, Carrot empowers members with inclusive, personalized care. According to Carrot Fertility's latest Menopause in the Workplace report, a significant majority of millennial women - four out of five - are proactively researching menopause to better understand its impact on their lives. Additionally, 70% of millennial women reported they would adjust their work routines to help manage menopause symptoms.
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Kindbody delivers a full spectrum of reproductive care, encompassing preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Their physician-led clinical model supports every step of the fertility and women's health journey, providing innovative solutions such as at-home testing, mobile clinics, virtual care, and onsite services. Kindbody ensures that members receive high-quality care tailored to their unique needs. This webinar dives into how employers can support female employees through menopause with Accolade and Kindbody.
By integrating these Trusted Partners, Accolade provides seamless, accessible support for members navigating every aspect of their fertility, family planning, and maternity needs.
Menopause and beyond
For women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and related health challenges, Accolade offers specialized care that often exceeds traditional in-person services:
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Personalized care navigation: Accolade Care Navigation nurses guide members through care and benefits, coordinating treatments and transitions seamlessly.
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Virtual primary care: Accolade physicians, equipped with advanced training in menopausal hormone therapy, provide evaluations and treatment plans based on evidence-based guidelines.
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Optimized referrals: Physicians minimize unnecessary referrals and connect members to women's health specialists through our expert medical opinion panel.
This holistic approach ensures better access to care, personalized treatment, and improved outcomes for members, while reducing barriers that often hinder care access.
The employer opportunity: Don't just talk, act
It's easy to say you care about women's health, but action speaks louder than words. Employers have the power to redefine workplace wellness by prioritizing women's health as a core component of their benefits strategy:
Offer real health benefits, not just a glossy brochure
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Fertility support, mental health resources, menopause care - these aren't nice-to-haves; they're essentials. Women shouldn't have to fight through red tape to get them.
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Accolade simplifies the healthcare maze, providing personalized, comprehensive care at every step of the way.
Make wellness a core value, not a buzzword
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Flexible schedules, preventative care campaigns, and virtual primary care shouldn't be perks - they should be foundational.
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Learn how forward-thinking organizations are making women's health a priority in Accolade's webinar on women's health benefits.
Break down barriers to care
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Navigating the healthcare system shouldn't be a second job. Employers can simplify the process with clear communication about benefits and access to personalized care navigation.
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Accolade's navigation tools and access to Women's Health Specialists ensure employees can easily find the care they need.
Why prioritizing women's health pays off
Investing in women's health isn't just the right thing to do - it's smart business. When women are healthy and supported, they bring their best selves to work. And that's when the magic happens:
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Increased productivity: Healthy employees perform at their peak.
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Improved retention: Women who feel seen, supported, and valued stick around.
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Enhanced recruitment: Today's top talent demands inclusive benefits-and if you're not offering them, someone else will.
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Stronger reputation: Employers who lead in women's health set themselves apart as champions of equity and inclusion.
Accolade's resources on femtech innovations and workplace health initiatives show just how transformative these changes can be.
Women's health: The new workplace non-negotiable
Let's call it what it is: Prioritizing women's health is long overdue. The good news is it's not too late to make bold, meaningful changes that elevate your workplace and empower your employees. At Accolade, we're passionate about helping employers build cultures and benefits that truly support women's health at every stage. From virtual primary care and maternity management to menopause care, and beyond, we simplify the process so employers and employees can focus on what matters most: living healthy, fulfilling lives. It's time to stop talking and start acting. Explore Accolade's resources on women's health and see how we can help you build a workplace where women - and your business - can thrive.
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