AI Insight
Menstrual health, which affects approximately 2 billion people globally, remains significantly neglected by governments, businesses, and the scientific research community. A new international commentary published in The Lancet Haematology, led by Professor Marni Sommer from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, advocates for menstrual health to be formally recognized as a fundamental public health issue. The commentary was released as part of a broader Commission report addressing this gap in healthcare policy and research.
Why it matters
Recognizing menstrual health as a core public health priority could lead to improved healthcare policies, increased research funding, and better resource allocation for menstrual health management globally. This shift in perspective has implications for workplace policies, educational programs, and healthcare systems that serve billions of menstruating individuals worldwide.
Understand the Science
Despite affecting an estimated 2 billion people, menstrual health continues to be overlooked by governments, businesses and the scientific community, prompting calls for it to be recognized as a fundamental public health issue. A new international commentary by Marni Sommer, DrPH, MSN, professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, was published today in the journal The Lancet Haematology, part of a full report by a Commission of The Lancet released today.
Source: Menstrual health still overlooked despite affecting 2 billion people