From Primary Care to PROACTIVE CARE: Closing the Gaps in Women’s Health

Supporting whole-person health and wellness means going beyond traditional primary care to address the full spectrum of maintenance services needed to maximize function and energy throughout life. While building networks of primary care providers is important, it often leaves critical gaps—particularly in meeting the unique, lifelong needs of women. For example, research has shown that women who enter menopause early—before age 40—experience more significant cognitive decline than those entering menopause later, underscoring the importance of proactive, gender-specific care across the lifespan (Nakanishi, 2025). Integrating “specialties” like obstetrics and gynecology can help shift our approach from basic primary care to PROACTIVE CARE, encouraging individuals to utilize these providers more effectively in the ongoing maintenance of their bodies rather than waiting until something breaks down. This mindset shift, reinforced through benefit designs that leverage member consumerism and highlight the financial returns, helps create a virtuous cycle of engagement and prevention.

Nakanishi M, Yamasaki S, Stanyon D, et al. Associations among age at menopause, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function. Alzheimer's Dement. 2025; 21:e70063. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70063