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Women’s health outcomes are shaped by more than medical care alone. Access to stable housing, nutritious food, healthcare coverage, childcare, and financial security all play a significant role in determining whether women and their families can thrive. These factors, known as the social determinants of health, shape everything from pregnancy outcomes to mental health. As March is Women’s History Month, it is important to celebrate the achievements of women while also recognizing the structural barriers that continue to shape women’s health.
Women are more likely than men to take on unpaid caregiving responsibilities for children, elderly relatives, or family members with disabilities. These responsibilities can create interruptions in employment and limit access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Financial instability can also lead to increased stress, delayed medical care, and difficulty affording necessities like groceries or transportation to appointments. In fact, 38% of women in the United States report skipping or postponing needed health care because of cost.
Public benefits help address these challenges. Medicaid provides health coverage for millions of women in the United States and plays an essential role in maternal health by increasing access to prenatal care and preventive services. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) supports pregnant women and families with young children through nutritional assistance and health education, improving birth outcomes and reducing food insecurity. Programs like SNAP help families afford groceries and maintain access to nutritious food, which is essential for both physical and mental health.
Despite the availability of these programs, many eligible individuals never receive them. Complex application processes, language barriers, lack of awareness, and stigma surrounding public assistance often prevent families from accessing the support they qualify for.
This is where Link Health works to make a difference. Link Health partners with healthcare providers and community organizations to connect patients directly to public benefits that support their health and well-being. Through benefits screening and enrollment support while patients wait for their appointments, Link Health helps individuals identify programs they may qualify for and guides them through the application process.
Improving women’s health requires more than clinical care. It requires strengthening the systems that support economic stability and access to essential resources. During Women’s History Month, it is important to recognize that empowering women’s health also means ensuring that women and families can access the support systems designed to help them thrive.
Author: Regina Agyemang
