Healthy aging matters at every stage of life. Chronic inflammatory diseases and other related conditions disproportionately impact women worldwide, especially as they age. To highlight these challenges, the Global Remission Coalition hosted a webinar featuring advocacy experts from across the globe who spoke about why healthy aging deserves greater prioritization in health systems and public policy. Panelists included Luyanda Majija of the Partnership for Women’s Wellness and Linda Wilhelm of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance.
The Disproportionate Impact on Women
“A very important and often neglected aspect of health care.”
The presenters emphasized the disproportionate impact of chronic inflammatory and related conditions on women. Osteoporosis is one of those related conditions, as chronic inflammation raises the risk of developing it, and like many inflammatory conditions, osteoporosis disproportionately affects women and develops later in life.
Collectively the impact of these conditions is devastating.
- More than 18 million people live with rheumatoid arthritis globally, with women twice as likely as men to develop the disease.
- Two hundred million women worldwide are affected by osteoporosis, many as a result of an underlying inflammatory condition.
- One in three women over age 50 is expected to experience an osteoporosis-related injury.
The Power of Patient Lived Experiences
“Using lived experiences alongside scientific evidence [helps] make a really strong case that can inform policy decisions and ultimately strengthen our health systems.”
While statistics demonstrate the scale of the issue, both speakers stressed that personal stories of lived experiences are equally important in animating those statistics and making them relatable.
Wilhelm reflected on her own experience living with inflammatory arthritis after being diagnosed at age 23. Despite undergoing 16 joint replacement surgeries, she said staying physically active through walking has strengthened her health and resilience. Through her work with CAPA, she continues to educate patients and mitigate fear by demonstrating that healthy aging is possible with the right care and support.
Majija shared the story of Anne Marais, whose osteoporosis was diagnosed only after a fall that resulted in major hip surgery. Her experience highlighted how delayed diagnoses can have life-changing consequences, reinforcing the importance of prevention and early screening.
Looking Forward
“Early is better for improving women’s health outcomes.”
The discussion concluded with a call for policymakers and health care leaders to adopt a life-course approach to women’s health. Aging begins long before older adulthood, and investing in prevention, screening and early-stage diagnosis, and equitable access to treatment can lead to remission and better outcomes for women, their families, health systems and society.
The central takeaway was clear. Better outcomes begin by recognizing the full complexity of women’s experiences and ensuring care reflects those realities throughout every stage of life.
Watch the webinar recording: Healthy Aging & Women with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
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