Gender Disparity in Healthcare Costs: Women Outspend Men by $15.4B, Reveals Deloitte

A report by Deloitte reveals that employed women in the US are spending 20% more on healthcare services out of pocket compared to men, even when excluding maternity care and pregnancy. This amounts to as much as $15.4 billion per year, exacerbating the financial burden of income inequity and the "pink tax" on women. The report attributes this excess spending to factors such as more frequent imaging and scans, higher rates of chronic conditions, and recommended screenings for women. Deloitte suggests that employers should design benefit plans that cover more of the services needed by women to reduce the financial burden and promote healthier and more productive employees.