British women are among the most angry in Europe, according to a new survey that highlights deep frustrations with the country's healthcare system. More than a fifth of women in the United Kingdom report feelings of rage, placing them near the top of the continent's anger rankings.
The findings come from the Hologic Global Women's Health Index, which tracks women's emotional and physical health across 143 countries. The UK now ranks 48th, its lowest position since the index began in 2020. By contrast, Germany sits at 7th, Poland at 5th, and Latvia at 2nd.
Women over 60 are hit hardest. They are the only age group where anger and sadness have increased since 2020, with 42% of all women surveyed reporting worry and 28% sadness. The data underscores a broader decline in women's wellbeing across the continent, but the UK stands out for its sharp drop.
Healthcare delays and 'medical misogyny'
A key driver of this anger is the National Health Service (NHS), where long waits and dismissive attitudes have become commonplace. A 2024 report by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) labelled this phenomenon “medical misogyny,” pointing to systemic underinvestment in female-specific conditions.
Only 2% of UK medical research funding in 2025 went to pregnancy, childbirth, and female reproductive health, according to Pure Unity Health. Pelvic and menopause care are particularly neglected, leaving many women without adequate treatment. Access to specialised services depends heavily on location: those in London face shorter waits than women in rural areas.
“Women’s responses clearly illustrate the continuing deterioration across many aspects of their health and wellbeing,” said Tim Simpson, general manager for UK & Ireland, Benelux & Nordics at Hologic. “Additional UK research found many are facing delays in care and losing confidence in the system.”
The consequences are tangible. A third of women report daily physical pain, and nearly one in four say health problems interfere with their daily activities. These figures are consistent across much of Europe, but the UK's decline is steeper than in comparable nations.
Global investment gap
The problem extends beyond the UK. A January study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that women lose 75 million years of healthy life annually, yet receive just 6% of total private healthcare investment. This gap means women are more likely to seek medical help but less likely to receive effective care.
In response, many women have turned to online communities for support. Reddit groups like r/endometriosis and r/menopause each have over 100,000 members. While these spaces raise awareness, they also risk spreading misinformation, highlighting the need for better professional care.
Simpson added: “The good news is that we know where many of the challenges lie. Women are telling us they want earlier diagnosis, faster access to care and greater use of innovative technologies. Improving women's health will take continued commitment from policymakers, the NHS, clinicians and industry working together.”
The survey's findings come as Europe grapples with broader healthcare disparities. For context, a recent study on AI chatbots for mental health found that 60% of users seek support but many remain dissatisfied, echoing the need for human-centred care. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material across Europe underscores the continent's digital challenges.
For British women, the message is clear: the “keep calm and carry on” stereotype no longer holds. Anger is rising, and the healthcare system is a primary target. Whether policymakers will respond with the investment and reform needed remains an open question.
