Global Policy and Advocacy Landscape on Menopause: A Global Comparative Review and Analysis
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Abstract
Background: Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility which occur as a natural part of ageing, typically between ages 45 and 55. Medically it is described as a point in time one year after the last menstrual period due to loss of ovarian follicular function and declining estrogen. With about 1.2 billion expected to be menopausal by 2030 and 47million transitioning annually, menopause is a critical intersection between economic sustainability and public health. Yet, inclusion in global national health strategies remains inadequate and fragmented.
Method: This manuscript review and compares maturity of menopause-specific policy and advocacy across the globe. Comparative evaluation of clinical and legislative frameworks between high income countries and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) on menopause was done using the Multi-Level Governance Maturity Framework (MLG).
Results: The Result showed critical maturity disparity as high-income nations have good levels of clinical and workplace legislative frameworks, while low- and middle-income nations have policy gaps and inequity between rural and urban areas.
Conclusion: Formulating menopause-specific health policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can change the current invisibility and increase economic growth as well as quality of life, especially in LMICs.
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