Supporting Women’s Health And Wellness Across Every Stage

Health needs change with age. For women under 30, that often means focusing on preventive care, stress management, and healthy routines. At around age 30, women’s health priorities often shift to staying current with screenings, family health planning, maternal health, and perimenopause education. Employers should make sure their health insurance plans also provide necessary support for women as they enter middle age.

Navigating Midlife Changes

The 40s and 50s are a pivotal time for women, as they often balance peak career demands with changing family roles and the onset of midlife health transitions. Stress management and workplace flexibility become increasingly important, helping women maintain focus and energy while managing responsibilities at work and at home. Helping women address these issues reduces burnout, increasing employee productivity and morale.

Preventive care becomes even more important during this stage, as risks for chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, rise. Nearly half of women ages 40–59 have hypertension, compared with only about 16% of women ages 18–39. Staying current with blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, mammograms, and colon cancer screening helps detect issues early, when they are most treatable. Encouraging preventive visits during these years can significantly lower long-term healthcare costs and support sustained productivity.

Menopause and perimenopause also shape women’s health and workplace experiences during this life stage. Symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, and cognitive changes can impact performance. Research shows that 2 in 5 women have considered changing jobs due to menopause symptoms. Employers that provide menopause support at work through education, accommodations, and benefits addressing midlife reproductive health create inclusive cultures that empower women to stay engaged. By supporting these transitions, organizations increase job satisfaction, strengthen workforce resilience, and retain experienced talent.

Staying Strong And Connected: Women’s Health At 60 And Beyond

In the 60s and later years, women often transition toward retirement or new phases of work, making health and independence top priorities. Emotional well-being, social connection, and access to care all play critical roles in maintaining quality of life and whole health. Employers can support employees in this age group by promoting flexible retirement planning, phased work options, and resources that address aging-related health and wellness concerns.

Preventive and chronic disease management become central during this stage, as risks for heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and certain cancers rise. Nearly three out of four women ages 60 and older have hypertension, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring and care. Staying current with screenings for breast, colon, and bone health helps reduce complications and maintain independence. Employers that encourage preventive visits and offer robust retiree health resources can ease transitions while reducing overall costs. Falls also remain a major threat. They are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults 65 and older. Regular screenings for bone density, cardiovascular health, and cancer help reduce complications and maintain independence.

Maintaining daily routines of movement, balanced nutrition, and cognitive engagement helps sustain vitality and independence. Older women also benefit from access to community health and wellness programs and trusted health information that support healthy aging. By reinforcing these habits and addressing age-related health needs, organizations show commitment to employees across the full life course, preserving institutional knowledge while supporting dignity and well-being in later years.

Transforming Women’s Health Challenges Into Well-Being

By connecting health priorities across life stages with workplace strategies, organizations can empower women to thrive personally and professionally — creating employee benefits that have ripple effects on individuals, families, and businesses alike.