Hikari Pharmacy Survey: 63.6% of Working Women and Parents Postpone Their Own Health Care Amidst Busy New Fiscal Year

Ahead of the International Day of Action for Women's Health on May 28, Hikari Pharmacy conducted a survey regarding the reality of working women and the parenting generation postponing their own health concerns. The results showed that 63.6% had postponed addressing their own physical ailments in the past three months, and 75.0% had experience prioritizing family schedules or health over their own. This highlights a situation where women tend to harbor minor health issues amidst their busy daily lives.

In the survey, 25.0% responded that they 'frequently' and 38.6% 'sometimes' postpone their own health care, totaling 63.6%. Furthermore, 75.0% answered that they had prioritized family over their own ailments. This reflects the overlapping roles many women carry daily.

The most common reasons for postponement were 'thinking it wasn't worth a doctor visit' (52.3%), followed by 'being too busy with work' (43.2%) and 'thinking it wasn't serious enough to consult' (32.6%). Specific ailments postponed included 'fatigue/sluggishness' (41.7%), 'headaches' (37.1%), and 'stiff shoulders/neck' (31.8%). While these are not life-threatening, 56.8% reported that such postponement negatively impacted their work, housework, and childcare. The reality emerged that putting oneself last gradually degrades the overall quality of life. The survey also suggested that the primary person to consult is 'family' (51.5%), indicating that pharmacies are not yet the first point of contact for such health consultations.