Why Women’s Health Is Undervalued — and What It Costs Us | Dr. Sharon Malone
- Georgie Kovacs
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
A Conversation with Dr. Sharon Malone on the Hidden Economics of Care
Dr. Sharon Malone is a nationally known expert in women’s health and the host of The Second Opinion podcast. She is the Chief Medical Advisor at Alloy Women’s Health, a telehealth company that focuses on women over 40. Before joining Alloy, Dr. Malone was a partner at one of the oldest and most successful OB/GYN medical practices in Washington, D.C. She is board certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and certified by the North American Menopause Society as a Certified National Menopause Practitioner. Throughout her professional career, she has been active in reproductive rights, reducing teen pregnancy, and eliminating health care disparities.
Episode Summary
Why does it still feel like women aren’t being heard in the doctor’s office? Dr. Sharon Malone joins Georgie Kovacs to unpack the structural, cultural, and economic forces that have eroded trust between women and their healthcare providers. From the loss of physician autonomy to outdated reimbursement systems and the chronic undervaluation of women’s health fields, this candid conversation reveals how the system got here—and what it will take to fix it. Together, Georgie and Dr. Malone explore solutions ranging from patient empowerment to digital health and the need for systemic reform in research, policy, and payment.
How Reimbursement Models and Access Gaps Hurt Women
Women’s health care has long been undervalued in the U.S. system. As Dr. Sharon Malone explains, reimbursement models often pay the same amount for a one-hour procedure as for a six-hour one, especially in OB-GYN and other female-dominated fields. This structure discourages thorough, patient-centered care and limits access to complex treatments such as endometriosis surgery. When compensation doesn’t reflect the time or skill required, physicians are squeezed, burnout rises, and women ultimately receive less comprehensive care.
50 Percent of U.S. Counties Have No OB-GYN — The Access Crisis
Half of all counties in the United States no longer have a practicing OB-GYN, creating what Dr. Malone calls “medical deserts.” These gaps force women to travel hours for prenatal visits, menopause care, or essential procedures. Rural communities and marginalized populations are hit hardest, widening health disparities. Ensuring equitable access requires investment in women’s health infrastructure, fair reimbursement, and policies that make it viable for clinicians to serve every region—not only high-income urban areas.
From Dismissal to Action — Reimagining Value in Women’s Health
For decades, women’s symptoms have been dismissed or minimized, but awareness is finally shifting toward accountability and systemic change. Dr. Malone and Georgie Kovacs emphasize that fixing the problem means redefining value: rewarding listening, prevention, and long-term outcomes—not just procedures. Patients can play a role by documenting symptoms, advocating for themselves, and supporting reforms that fund women’s health research and fair clinician pay. Real progress begins when every woman’s care is treated as essential, not optional.
Women’s health deserves more than reactive care — it requires systems built on respect, evidence, and equitable value. As Dr. Sharon Malone reminds us, true reform means rethinking how we define quality and access in medicine. Listen to the full Fempower Health Podcast episode to hear how clinicians, policymakers, and patients can work together to rebuild trust, close the access gap, and ensure every woman receives the care she deserves.
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Resources & Referenced Research
Malone S. Grown Woman Talk. 2024.
NIH Data Book (2022): https://report.nih.gov/funding/categorical-spending
March of Dimes. Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Report, 2023.
Fitzgerald J., King L. Price and Prejudice: Reimbursement of Surgical Care on Male Versus Female Anatomies
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Disclaimer
The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor. Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.