In today's world, supporting women's health isn't just a moral imperative — it's good business sense. As companies increasingly recognise the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, prioritising women's health initiatives is becoming essential. So why is women's health important? Women now make up 48% of the workforce. And the latest economic modelling from AXA Health and the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows that when businesses neglect women's health in the workplace, the UK economy loses £20.2bn a year.By investing in the wellbeing of female employees and customers, businesses can foster a healthier, more productive workforce and build stronger connections with their communities. But meaningful support isn’t about desktop fans or sanitary products in the toilets. When it comes to women’s health, motherhood, and navigating male-dominated industries, there’s much more that workplaces can do to support women in their careers.Here we take a look at what is covered under women’s health and offer five tips for business leaders: Action 1: Implement flexible work policiesThe latest research revealed in the Bupa Wellbeing Index shows that one in eight (13%) women have taken time off work in the last 12 months due to symptoms linked to periods, while a third (35%) gave a different reason when requesting the time away.Almost a quarter (23%) of working women have considered quitting due to the impact of menopause or menstrual symptoms at work, according to research from healthcare provider Simplyhealth, underlining how important it is for businesses to understand how to support menopause in the workplace.So how do you retain your valuable talent? One of the most impactful ways to support women's health is by implementing flexible work policies. Women often face health challenges, including menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, which can affect their ability to work traditional hours. By offering flexible schedules, remote work options, and generous paid leave policies, businesses can empower women to prioritise their health without sacrificing their careers. Flexible work arrangements not only improve employee morale and retention but also demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and work-life balance.Action 2: Provide comprehensive health benefitsAccess to quality healthcare is crucial for women to maintain their wellbeing throughout all stages of life. You can support women's health by providing comprehensive health benefits that cover a wide range of services, including preventive care, reproductive health, mental health, and maternity care. By prioritising group health insurance plans that are inclusive and accessible, businesses can ensure that women have the resources they need to thrive both personally and professionally.Action 3: Foster a culture of wellnessCreating a supportive workplace culture that prioritises wellness is essential for promoting women's health. Businesses can organise wellness initiatives that cater specifically to women's needs, such as nutrition workshops, stress management seminars, and fitness challenges. Providing access to resources such as onsite gyms, meditation rooms, and lactation rooms can also make it easier for women to prioritise their health during the workday. The way YuLife supports easy access to better employee wellbeing habits is through the YuLife employee app: encouraging walking and providing access to short workouts and step-by-step meditation means women can fit these activities into even the busiest of schedules to help at least relieve some of their symptoms or associated stress and anxiety. By fostering a culture of wellness that values self-care and work-life balance, businesses can empower women to prioritise their health and wellbeing.Action 4: Champion diversity and inclusionPromoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace is not only the right thing to do but also a crucial component of supporting women's health. Businesses should strive to create an inclusive environment where women from diverse backgrounds feel valued, respected and supported. This includes implementing policies and practices that address gender bias, harassment, and discrimination, as well as providing opportunities for career advancement and leadership development. By championing diversity and inclusion, businesses can help break down barriers to women's health access and create a more equitable society for all.Action 5: Support community health initiativesBeyond the walls of the workplace, businesses can make a meaningful impact on women's health by supporting community health initiatives and organisations. This can include sponsoring health fairs, volunteering at women's shelters, or donating to nonprofits that provide essential healthcare services to underserved women. By investing in community health initiatives, businesses can help address systemic health disparities and ensure that all women have access to the care they need to thrive.Here are some of the other ways that YuLife supports the women in your business:1. The Stella menopause app Developed by a team of women who are experts in the field, Stella is empowering women's health by providing invaluable insights into menopause and equipping women with resources to better manage their symptoms.The Stella app is available to all YuLifers, and serves as a beacon of support, enabling women to deepen their understanding of their bodies and confidently navigate various health stages. By fostering such supportive measures, not only do workplaces cultivate an inclusive environment, but they also play a pivotal role in dismantling the stigma surrounding women’s health topics.2. Fertility app accessApproximately 1 in 7 couples grapples with infertility, and a staggering two-thirds of individuals experience hormonal imbalances that impact fertility. To bridge this gap, we've integrated Hertility into the YuLife app, catering to the needs of women within our user base.Founded by a collective of women entrenched in the field, Hertility endeavours to offer women a comprehensive solution for understanding their hormone health and fertility. Through the YuLife platform, users gain access to cutting-edge reproductive health expertise alongside convenient at-home fertility testing kits.These issues resonate deeply with many women, yet accessing specialised consultations and testing remains a challenge. Apps such as Hertility play a pivotal role in empowering women to actively manage their reproductive health, make well-informed choices, and seek essential support when necessary.3. Empowering women in investingFemale Invest is dedicated to a single objective: empowering and educating women to seize control of their finances and shape their lives according to their own terms.Its membership platform has successfully united over 50,000 women from across 100+ countries. Through our collaboration with Female Invest on the YuLife app, we aim to furnish women with financial learning opportunities and resources tailored specifically to their needs, fostering a sense of empowerment as they navigate the financial realm.Despite strides made, gender disparities persist in financial literacy and investment accessibility. Yet, financial wellbeing remains an integral component of overall workplace wellness, particularly as 80% of individuals grapple with financial stress.Through platforms like Female Invest, women gain access to vital financial education and resources, enabling them to confidently assume control of their financial futures.About YuLife.YuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work? Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.