Optimizing Menopause Care for Diverse Populations

Area of Science:

• Women's Health
• Health Disparities
• Menopause Research

Background:

• Menopause symptoms disproportionately affect marginalized women due to intersecting sociocultural, environmental, behavioral, biological, and healthcare system factors.
• Existing healthcare systems often lack culturally responsive and equitable approaches to menopause care.
• The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) framework highlights the complex interplay of determinants influencing health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline systemic, clinical, and research reforms needed for equitable menopause care.
• To emphasize the role of an intersectional lens in understanding menopause symptom burden.
• To identify key priorities for improving menopause care and outcomes for all women, especially marginalized groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the NIMHD framework and an intersectional approach to analyze factors contributing to menopause symptom burden.
• Identifying key areas for intervention including health literacy, educational tools, clinical training, insurance coverage, research recruitment, and care coordination.
• Synthesizing evidence and expert recommendations for a comprehensive reform strategy.

Main Results:

• Sociocultural factors, environment, behaviors, biology, and healthcare systems collectively increase menopause symptom burden, particularly for marginalized populations.
• Key priorities identified include enhancing health literacy, developing multilingual and culturally tailored educational resources, and integrating comprehensive menopause education and bias training into clinical settings.
• Expanding insurance coverage and implementing inclusive research strategies are crucial for developing personalized, culturally competent interventions.

Conclusions:

• Equitable menopause care necessitates a multi-faceted approach addressing systemic, clinical, and research gaps.
• Culturally responsive education, bias training, and interdisciplinary care are essential for personalized interventions.
• Improving midlife women's health outcomes requires a commitment to inclusive practices in research and clinical care.