Colombia’s Women’s Health Crisis: Cardiovascular Disease, Postpartum Depression, and Cervical Cancer
Women in Colombia face significant health challenges, including inequalities in access to care, rising disease rates, and delayed diagnoses. These issues are compounded by societal factors that often prioritize family obligations over personal health, leading to a “vicious circle” of delayed treatment and poorer outcomes.
Cardiovascular Disease: A Leading Threat
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death for women globally, and Colombia is no exception. The World Heart Federation (WHF) notes that symptoms of heart disease can differ in women compared to men, leading to misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms as anxiety.
Despite ischemic heart diseases being a leading cause of death in Colombian women, a survey by the Colombian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery revealed that women believe breast and cervical cancer are their biggest health threats. According to cardiologist Karen Dueñas, one in three Colombian women dies from cardiovascular disease, while one in 30 dies from cancer. This misperception of risk can delay crucial preventative care and treatment.
Dr. Dueñas, a specialist at the Cardioinfantil Foundation (LaCardio) and leader of the Valvular Clinic, emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms like extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, pain in the neck, jaw, or back, nausea, dizziness, or cold sweats. She highlights that 46 women in Colombia die each day from preventable cardiovascular diseases.
The Eight Essential Steps to Cardiovascular Health, encompassing lifestyle behaviors (healthy diet, exercise, smoking cessation, adequate sleep) and health factors (weight control, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure), are crucial for prevention.
Postpartum Depression: A Silent Struggle
Postpartum depression is a common but often underreported condition affecting approximately 1 in 7 women during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth. The condition manifests as emotional changes lasting up to a year after birth, and can include mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite or sleep.
Distinguishing between “baby blues” and postpartum depression is key, with the latter characterized by more intense and prolonged symptoms that can interfere with daily life and the ability to care for a newborn. Early psychological support, monitoring from healthcare professionals, and a strong support network are vital for recovery. Perinatal psychiatrist Alina Uribe, founder and director of Fertile Mind, notes that awareness among healthcare professionals is increasing, with many hospitals now implementing postpartum screening scales.
Cervical Cancer: Prevention and Progress
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Colombian women aged 30 to 59. The disease is closely linked to persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Research by German scientist Harald zur Hausen in 1976 and subsequent investigations led by Colombian doctor Nubia Muñoz Calero established HPV as the primary cause of cervical cancer.
Colombia has made strides in prevention through the HPV vaccine, included in the Expanded Immunization Program since 2012, and the detection of precancerous stages through screening. Gloria Inés Sánchez, PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, emphasizes that early detection and treatment of precancerous stages can eliminate the risk of invasive cancer. Countries like England, Sweden, and Holland have even announced the elimination of cervical cancer in vaccinated populations.
Currently, between 4,500 and 5,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually in Colombia, resulting in nearly 2,200 deaths each year – a rate of five deaths per day.
Dr. Karen Dueñas was recognized as “Woman of the Year in Health” at the Global Forum 2025 by the She Is Foundation for her work in cardiology and women’s health. She is a graduate of the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) and currently affiliated with the Fundación Cardioinfantil in Bogotá, where she leads the clinic for the management of heart and valve diseases.