Health Ministry Panel Recommends National Policy for Women’s Health Across Life

Israel’s Health Ministry announced on November 12 that a steering committee had recommended a national policy addressing women’s health throughout life. The ministry is examining the recommendations to develop a multi-year work plan. Director-General Moshe Bar Siman Tov appointed the committee, chaired by Maly Kusha and supported by eight expert teams. The proposed policy extends beyond pregnancy, childbirth and gynecology. It addresses biological, gender-related, social and cultural differences affecting prevention, diagnosis, treatment and health outcomes. Bar Siman Tov said: “Women’s health is an integral part of this vision of excellence.” He described the next task as turning the recommendations into practical measures with clear objectives and indicators of success. For girls, adolescents and young women, the recommendations emphasize prevention and early recognition of psychological distress, eating disorders, anemia and endometriosis, alongside proactive services from a young age. They propose incorporating menopause care into routine health services through greater awareness, professional training and improved access to diagnosis and treatment. Mental-health recommendations address trauma, violence, pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes and social risk factors. For older women, the committee proposes adapting prevention, diagnosis and treatment to chronic illness, heart and bone health, cognition, pain and functioning. Its broader recommendations call for stronger research and data addressing sex and gender, tailored services, reduced health disparities and greater participation of women in management and decision-making.