"It was terrifying to transition from doctor to patient.”
When Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh, an Ayurvedic wellness expert and author of the upcoming book Longevity Formula, shared this admission at a recent Chronicon panel hosted with Flow Space, it struck a chord with the audience. Her words captured the vulnerability of facing chronic illness—an experience many women know well.
For more than 133 million Americans—most of them women—chronic illness isn’t a choice but a reality. Women are disproportionately affected by conditions like endometriosis, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, pelvic floor disorders and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Other chronic issues, such as Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis and depression, often appear later in life, demanding resilience and reinvention.
A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine highlights significant gaps in research on chronic conditions affecting women, hindering accurate diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Many conditions specific to, or predominantly affecting, women remain poorly understood with questions about causes and optimal treatments still unanswered.
In 2021, chronic conditions ranked among the top five causes of death for women, often impacting quality of life long before mortality becomes a concern. While women tend to live longer than men, they frequently spend more years managing illnesses that affect daily life. The emotional and physical toll is steep, often without adequate support or understanding.
Kumar-Singh’s words are a reminder of the resilience within this community. Living with chronic illness demands strength, adaptability and the courage to find joy despite challenges. While chronic illness may reshape a woman’s life, it doesn’t define her; rather, it becomes part of a larger story of perseverance, courage and the pursuit of well-being. | 
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