At the International Institute of Ayurveda, we aim to include women-specific health programs both individually offered and as an included part of multi-year programs.  We would like to actively be a part of closing the gender-related gap in health care. [1]

 

According to the World Economic Forum:

• There remains gender inequality in healthcare, we face wide gaps in research and treatment ability for areas that are unique to women.

• Slow progress centered around a deficiency of funding and, subsequently, a scarcity of clinical research and data on women’s health issues.

• By elevating the importance of women’s health, we can deliver better, more inclusive data and insights; more targeted, accessible solutions; and, enable better care for women worldwide. [1]

​

The CDC states that four out of five pregnancy-related deaths in the US are preventable.  And black women are nearly three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. [1]

 

Among pregnancy-related deaths with information on timing, 22% of deaths occurred during pregnancy, 25% occurred on the day of delivery or within 7 days after, and 53% occurred between 7 days to 1 year after pregnancy. [2]

 

The leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related death include:

• Mental health conditions (including deaths to suicide and overdose/poisoning related to substance use disorder) (23%)

• Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) (14%)

• Cardiac and coronary conditions (relating to the heart) (13%)

• Infection (9%)

• Thrombotic embolism (a type of blood clot) (9%)

• Cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) (9%)

• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (relating to high blood pressure) (7%)

 

Some other shocking and impressing facts include:

• The US has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries.  The AMA is urging policy makers in the US to: expand access to medical and mental health care and social services for postpartum women, continue to develop a health care workforce that is diverse in background and experience, and to address shortcomings in our institutions. [3]

• The US CDC recognizes eight common reproductive health concerns for women: Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, Gynecologic Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Interstitial Cystitis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s), and Sexual Violence. [4]

• According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, “mood and mental health may affect relationships, self-esteem, work performance and even physical health. Research shows possible connections between certain mental health conditions and physical ailments, such as heart disease and gastrointestinal issues.” [5]

• The United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG) included eliminating sex-based disparities in health care and reducing maternal mortality as two of their eight global development goals. [6]

• According to the WHO, diseases affecting women can “cause severe pain, anxiety and depression, and can prevent people with the disease from going to work or school.”  [7]

 

[1] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/women-health-gap-davos-2023/

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0919-pregnancy-related-deaths.html

[3] https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/ama-advocacy-improve-maternal-health

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/womensrh/healthconcerns.html

[5] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/womens-health-mind-and-mood#:~:text=Mood%20and%20mental%20health%20play,heart%20disease%20and%20gastrointestinal%20issues.

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2492587/

[7] https://www.who.int/health-topics/women-s-health

 

 

​

What Can We Do?

 

We believe in three steps:  Awareness, Education, and Service.  These things move the needle to directly impact the person-to-person help and care.  It is also well documented that there is a need for institutional funding for research and education in the governmental-allopathic side.  Ayurveda is already well prepared to provide individualized and effective care for chronic and acute conditions.

 

 

What Do We Offer?

 

Contact us at IIA to assist with either personalized care for yourself (through our professional network developed over decades), or for ongoing education in women’s specific topics. 

 

Our 2-year Ayurvedic Practitioner, and 4-year Ayurvedic Doctor programs include women-specific topics.

​

We currently have the following programs prepared and available:

• Menstrual Health Certificate Program View and register HERE

• Fertility / Infertility Certificate Program View and register HERE

 

We are still organizing:

•  Conception through Post-Natal Care Certificate Program

• Ayurveda and Menopause Certificate Program

• Ayurveda and Women’s Life Stages Certificate Program

 

 

CONTACT US DIRECTLY!!!