In 2021 the Government’s call for evidence to inform the development of the Women’s Health strategy received over 100,000 responses from the general public and over 400 responses from health experts.

The call for evidence sought opinions on six key themes:

• Placing women’s voices at the centre of women’s health
• Improving information and education about women’s health
• Ensuring the care system is responsive to the health needs of women throughout their lives
• Maximising women’s health in the workplace
• Increasing the representation of women in research to improve women’s health outcomes
• Understanding and responding to the impacts of COVID-19 on women’s health

The Women’s Health Strategy for England plans to set out a new, positive agenda on women’s health, with women’s voices at the centre. The responses to the call for evidence are meant to inform the content, actions, and priorities of the Women’s Health Strategy, to ensure that it is not only evidence based, but also reflective of the needs and views of the women it will affect.

Following analysis of all the responses, the top five topics highlighted for prioritisation are:

• Gynaecological conditions
• Fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss and postnatal support
• Menopause
• Menstrual health
• Mental health

Many of these key themes and topics highlighted for prioritisation are issues that the P3 study is focused on. The P3 study aims to help women to either prevent pregnancy, through information on contraception and family planning, or to prepare for pregnancy, by increasing awareness of the importance of pre-conception health. The P3 study is working to increase the information, support and care available for women whether they are trying to avoid pregnancy, trying to get pregnant or dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Our research not only focuses on women and their needs, but their voices and opinions are at the heart of our work.

The recent appointment of Dame Lesley Regan as England’s first Women’s Health Ambassador, to support the implementation of the upcoming Women’s Health Strategy, is a welcome development.

Dame Lesley is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College’s St Mary’s Hospital Campus. She has over 40 years of experience in women’s health, with special interests in miscarriage, menstruation and menopause. She has said she wants to make it easier for women to access contraception and smear tests, increase investment in midwifery and obstetric services, and to increase the representation of women in clinical trials.

During an interview about her new appointment, Dame Lesley said “This is an important opportunity to get it right for women and girls and make a real difference to 51 per cent of our population by addressing the inequalities that exist across society.”

The introduction of a Women’s Health Strategy for England (due to be published later this year) and the appointment of a Women’s Health Ambassador are big steps in the right direction towards closing the gender health gap.