Working Women and Hepatitis: Unseen Risks and Unheard Voices

This article is authored by Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director and Chief Health Officer (Indian Subcontinent), International SOS.

The Silent Threat of Hepatitis Among Women

Hepatitis B and C are often referred to as ‘silent infections’ because they can remain undetected for years. In women who are balancing careers, households, and caregiving duties, this silence is amplified. Health takes a backseat, and symptoms, when they do show, may be ignored or misread as fatigue, hormonal fluctuations, or stress. This delay in recognising red flags often means the disease is only caught at advanced stages like liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

Time Constraints and Limited Access to Screening

The constraints of time and competing responsibilities are common across working women, whether employed formally or informally. Preventive health checkups are often sacrificed in favour of urgent day-to-day demands. While some corporate wellness programs have made progress by including screenings for chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes, hepatitis is rarely included in these health initiatives.

Structural Barriers in Healthcare Access

There is also a structural limitation. Most diagnostic centres and clinics run on standard business hours, overlapping with working schedules. Add to this the lack of on-site screening facilities or supportive leave policies, and it becomes clear why testing rates are low. The result is a cycle of minimal awareness, reduced screening, and ultimately, late diagnosis.

Stigma and Misconceptions Around Hepatitis

Stigma is another invisible but powerful barrier. Because hepatitis is commonly linked in public perception with intravenous drug use or sexually transmitted infections, even educated women often hesitate to seek testing or speak openly about a diagnosis. The fear of being misjudged or isolated, especially in professional environments, prevents timely intervention.

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Gaps in Awareness and Vaccination

Even though we have access to an effective vaccine for hepatitis B and reliable treatments for hepatitis C, many women remain unaware of their own immunisation history or the need for regular screening. This is especially true for those born before hepatitis B was made part of routine childhood vaccination schedules.

The Missing Link in Workplace Health Initiatives

Unfortunately, workplace health initiatives often lack dedicated messaging on hepatitis. Without clear, accessible, and credible health information, most women remain unaware of how easy it is to get tested. A simple blood test can help detect the virus early and begin timely care.

A Call for Inclusive, Gender-Aware Workplace Healthcare

To address this invisible crisis, we must advocate for more inclusive and gender-aware healthcare approaches in the workplace that focus on:

• Raising Awareness: Share credible, clear, and consistent information through internal communication and health drives.
• Offering Access: Facilitate workplace testing or build partnerships that make screenings easier and more accessible.
• Fighting Stigma: Foster a culture that supports open conversations about health without judgment.
• Driving Engagement: Use technology and community-driven programs to keep employees informed and involved.

Viral hepatitis may be a silent disease, but that does not mean it should remain unnoticed, especially among working women. Addressing their unique challenges can go a long way in ensuring early detection, timely treatment, and ultimately, better outcomes.

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