Supporting Women’s Health: a necessity, not a luxury
As International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month have brought unique health experiences to the forefront of industry conversations in recent weeks, I’ve been reflecting on the insights I’ve learned from my peers and mentors, including the women of Sharecare.
Just last week, Sharecare hosted an intimate and insightful Women’s Health luncheon at the CORE Club in New York City. Bringing together leaders and changemakers from across the healthcare, technology, and wellness sectors, we were joined by our partners Ovia, Omada Health, Carrum Health, Spring Health, and Hello Heart, in creating space for an important conversation. The focus: women’s brain and heart health — and the critical, often underestimated role of stress. The more we understand our health—how our minds, hearts, and stress are linked—the more power we have to take care of ourselves and support each other.
Moderated by Elizabeth Colyer, chief commercial officer at Sharecare, the discussion featured a powerhouse panel of women advancing the conversation in meaningful ways within their own spheres of influence, including Dr. Amy Cirbus, clinical director at Spring Health, Dr. Jayne Morgan, cardiologist and executive director of health and community education at Hello Heart, and Dr. Noémie Le Pertel, workforce health and resilience leader at Mercer.
From the power of social connection and community to the importance of accessible mental health tools, the conversation centered around shifting from reactive care to proactive, integrated well-being. Together, they unpacked the science, systemic gaps, and real-life implications of how stress uniquely impacts women’s heart and brain health, and what we can do about it. As Elizabeth explained – we cannot continue to treat women’s health in separate siloes. Because our brains, hearts, and stress are all deeply connected, supporting women must mean that we provide the necessary resources to address a woman’s full spectrum of needs and across her entire experience.
The panelists also explored how chronic stress not only affects mental health but also plays a critical role in cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline — two of the most pressing health concerns facing women. Yet, despite growing awareness, care and conversations often remain fragmented. Dr. Morgan further underscored the importance of relationships for improved heart health and healthy aging. In fact, for women, having significant platonic female friendships has a higher correlation to longevity than being married – as was previously believed.
Often serving as the de facto “chief health officer” of their families, women play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of their loved ones. In addition to any workforce demands or domestic labor (which often disproportionately falls to women and goes unrecognized), they’re also responsible for managing medical appointments, advocating for care, overseeing nutrition, and providing emotional support. They educate their families on healthy habits and step in as caregivers during illness. Balancing these responsibilities, especially in parallel with a career, requires resilience and strong support systems.
Organizations that prioritize women’s health understand that brain health and stress management are not luxuries but necessities. When we support women in managing their stress and supporting their families, we empower their minds, their well-being, and their ability to lead and thrive. Because when women are well, everything works better — our families, our communities, and our companies.
