About Chronic Pain
Millions of American women suffer from chronic pain each year. For women, chronic pain encompasses headaches, endometriosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and many other disorders.
The American Pain Society has identified chronic pain as the second leading cause of work absenteeism, resulting in 50 million missed work days per year. It is the leading cause of disability in the working-age population. In 2008, the CDC estimated that the total cost of the leading cause of disability, arthritis, alone was around $128 billion. These estimates demonstrate the huge cost that chronic pain has on our society each year. [1]
Due to a lack of awareness of different symptoms and side effects, improper diagnosis and treatment, inadequate health coverage, and medical gender bias in pain management, most women with chronic pain are excluded from proper treatment that could greatly relieve their pain.
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, women generally experience more recurrent pain, more severe pain and longer-lasting pain than men. An estimated 70 percent of migraine sufferers are women. Between 70 and 80 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. [2]
Fortunately, there has been a global increase in the development and use of pain medications. In January 2009, the European Union approved a new oral medication for rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, American and German researchers reported that gene therapy successfully worked in two patients who also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. [3]
While the development of new treatments is incredibly important for the relief of men and women, it is equally important to find a balance between providing adequate medication for those in chronic pain and making sure that pain medication is not being misused or abused.
Women In Government held its first educational panel on Women and Pain Management at the 11th Annual State Director and First Term Legislator Leadership Conference in December 2004. Following the meeting, a Task Force of legislators from Oregon, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, and Minnesota was formed to create a policy action plan for this issue.
Conference Materials
Materials from Women In Government's "Legislative Champions Against Chronic Pain" Task Force Meeting June 2-4, 2005
Additional Resources
See Also
Healthcare (General)
Health Disparities
[1] http://www.ampainsoc.org/advocacy/assess_treat_mce.htm
[2] www.inthefaceofpain.org
[3] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090126153941.htm
