Jamaica leads regional action on menopause policy

The announcement comes as Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, addressed the high-level event on menopause: Local to Global – Accelerating Menopause Research, Policy and Care, held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2026 on Wednesday. 

Jamaica's participation builds on advocacy led by Minister Tufton at the 79^th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where he called for greater global attention, research and coordinated policy responses to menopause and women's health beyond the reproductive years. As part of this growing international movement, Jamaica has also been invited to co-host a high-level menopause event at UNGA 2026, reflecting increasing global recognition of the country's leadership in shaping policy solutions for women experiencing menopause and andropause. Speaking during the event, Minister Tufton stressed that menopause must no longer be treated as a private issue but as a legitimate public health concern requiring coordinated action from governments, health systems and international partners. 

"For too long, menopause has been treated as a private matter – something women are expected to endure quietly, rather than as a legitimate public health issue," he said.  

Dr Tufton noted that while menopause is a natural biological transition, women's experiences are influenced by social, cultural, economic and health-system factors that can significantly impact physical and emotional wellbeing, workplace participation and overall quality of life. 

Taking action notably, Jamaica has already begun advancing a comprehensive policy response through the development of a national menopause and andropause policy, which is now in its final stages. The proposed framework will address clinical care, workplace and community responses, public education, healthcare worker training, clinical guidelines and access to treatment. 

The initiative forms part of the ministry’s broader life-course approach to health and healthy ageing and is aligned with efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services and improve quality of life outcomes for Jamaicans. 

As part of his Sectoral Presentation in May, Dr Tufton announced support for menopause and andropause as a priority area under the Ministry's CARE Agenda, with the need for supporting education, outreach and community-based interventions to assist individuals navigating those health transitions. 

"Our approach is straightforward," Minister Tufton said. "We want women to be informed, health professionals to be prepared, workplaces to be supportive and the health system to be responsive." 

Advancing a global agenda during discussions at the UNGA event, Minister Tufton encouraged countries to share best practices, strengthen research efforts and integrate menopause into broader conversations on universal health coverage, healthy ageing and women's health. 

"Women should not have to suffer in silence because society has failed to talk about menopause," Dr Tufton said. "We have an opportunity to ensure that the years of life after reproductive age are not treated as an afterthought, but as an important part of women's health, dignity, productivity and wellbeing."