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The Impact of Menopause on Women’s Health: A Workplace Initiative
February 23 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST
An estimated 6,000 women in the United States reach menopause daily, with 51 being the average age. For many individuals, the hormonal changes that take place during the menopause transition are associated with physical and psychological symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood fluctuations, sleep disruptions, and cognitive challenges. These highly variable symptoms are commonly misdiagnosed, resulting in inappropriate management and disruption of day-to- day activities. With approximately 44% of women in the workforce being older than 45, menopause symptoms have been reported to affect up to 20% of the US workforce. With approximately 44% of women in the workforce being older than 45, increases in retirement age and life expectancy are putting a demand on workplace settings to recognize the impact of menopause on women’s health. Menopause is a life stage that all women of a certain age will experience, and their impact on society has significant and far-reaching economic, social, and health care implications. Recruiting and retaining midlife and senior women in their careers is key to maintaining a diverse and sustainable intergenerational workforce.
SWHR is convening an interdisciplinary Menopause Workplace Education Working Group of menopause and workplace wellness researchers and strategists, human resource professionals, advocacy leaders, and health care providers for a series of closed meetings throughout 2023. During these meetings, the Working Group will discuss the impact of menopause on women’s health, with a special emphasis on addressing challenges women encounter while they are adjusting to menopause and midlife aging in diverse working environments.
Objectives
The objectives of the Working Group meetings are to:
- Address the impact of menopause on women’s health, including associated symptoms, comorbidities, and stigma experienced by women undergoing the menopause transition
- Promote science-based health care policies around menopause to improve patient outcomes
- Participate in outreach opportunities to engage health care providers, employers, and policy leaders in discussions to improve care for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
- Develop materials to expand education, raise awareness, and improve quality of life for women undergoing menopause
Working Group Participants
Omisade Burney-Scott, Founder and CEO, Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause
Pat M. Duckworth, MBA, BA, DipCHyp, NLP Master Prac, HPD, Therapist, Smarter Menopause
Jennifer E. Fairweather, DBA, Chief Human Resources Officer, Jefferson County
Stephanie S. Faubion, MD, MBA, FACP, NCMP, IF, Chair, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
Karen Giblin, President, Red Hot Mamas North America, Inc.
Claire Gill, Chief Executive Officer, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation; Founder, National Menopause Foundation
Alicia A. Grandey, PhD, Liberal Arts Professor of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University
Claire Hardy, BSc, MSc, PhD, AFBPsS, C.Psychol, Senior Lecturer, Director of Research for the Division of Health Research, Lancaster University
Gavin Jack, PhD, Professor and Head, Department of Management, Monash Business School, Monash University
Donna Klassen, LCSW, Co-Founder, Let’s Talk Menopause; Therapist in Private Practice
Pamela Price, RN, Deputy Director; The Balm In Gilead, Inc; CEO, Priceless Enterprises Consulting, LLC
Lisa Satterfield, MS, MPH, CAE, CPH, Senior Director, Health Economics, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Machelle (Mache) M. Seibel, MD, NCMP, Medical Director, Second Bloom Health, Faculty Beth Israel Hospital Harvard Medical School
Sharon Seibel, MD, Associate Editor, The Hot Years Magazine; Co-Author, Working Through Menopause
Talia Varley, MD, MPH, Physician Lead, Advisory Services, Cleveland Clinic Canada
Sponsors
Support for this educational program has been provided by Astellas Pharma, Bayer, and Pfizer. SWHR maintains independence and editorial control over program development, content, and work products.