UWLP Publishes Research on Health, Entrepreneurship, and Finance

Researchers from the Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. The survey, conducted in the fall of 2023, focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace. 

In October and November 2023, the UWLP collected data from 3,505 Utahns ages 18 and older. The 80-question survey was based on existing literature and survey instruments, guidance from experts, and baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward (BWF). This initiative invites Utahns to break down the barriers that keep women and girls from thriving.

A total of 19 research summaries have been or will be published to provide Utah leaders and residents with insights into Utahns’ current perceptions. To date, 13 research summaries have been released. 

Research summaries were recently released on Health Across the Lifespan, Entrepreneurship, and Finance. The summaries, authored by Susan R. Madsen, founder and director of UWLP, are being used to set goals and metrics for a BWF. Below are the highlights of each research summary.

Health Across the Lifespan

As UWLP has researched many topics related to women through the years, the elements of mental, physical, social/emotional, and/or environmental health have emerged in nearly all research.

The survey indicated:

• The majority of Utahns agree on some level that they can schedule and complete a preventative healthcare visit in the next 12 months.
• Women agreed at higher levels than men that they could make informed decisions regarding reproductive health.
• 45.0% of respondents do not feel knowledgeable about perimenopause (and this was especially true for men).
• One-quarter of respondents were either unsure or did not feel safe in a doctor’s office of medical setting at some level.
• 47.1% disagreed at some level that it is likely one of their healthcare providers will effectively screen them for intimate partner violence in the next year and connect them with the necessary resources.

“The bottom line is that Utah girls and women are experiencing substantial health challenges,” said Madsen. “Our health impacts all other domains in our life, and it also intersects with each of the other areas of focus in A Bolder Way Forward movement.”

Entrepreneurship

Utah has seen substantial growth in women-owned businesses and ranks high in some aspects, yet Utah ranks poorly in others, including WalletHub’s entrepreneurship rate disparity between men and women.

Findings include:

• 51.9% of respondents agreed they would start a business if they had the opportunity and resources.
• 81.9% agreed at some level their families and friends would approve/support their decision to start a business.
• 55.1% agreed (only 18.4% strongly agreed) if they started a business, it would grow big enough to employ others.
• 41.6% disagreed at some level that if they started a business they would know how/where to access resources and support.

According to Madsen, “Many Utah residents responded that they would start businesses if they had resources and opportunities, yet many were not aware of the support that is currently available to all Utahns, especially women.”

Finance

The data on Utah women and finances were limited. Yet, it is critical that women of all ages work toward achieving financial security and be able to make informed financial decisions.

Survey findings include:

• 14.5% and 28.6% strongly agreed or agreed, respectively, that they are aware of resources that can help them achieve financial security.
• 43.1% of respondents either disagreed at some level or neither agreed nor disagreed they have used resources that have help them achieve financial security.
• Nearly everyone surveyed believes they should understand their own finances.
• In the convenience sample, 71.0% agreed or strongly agreed they can manage personal finances independently and make informed decisions to improve their financial wellness.
• 81% strongly agree it is important for women to be competent and confident with money.

“A Bolder Way Forward aims to make Utah a place where more women and girls thrive in any setting, and strengthening women’s awareness and utilization of financial resources, as well as their competence and confidence in managing money and making informed decisions, will benefit Utah families,” Madsen said.

Conclusion

For the eighth year in a row, WalletHub has named Utah as the worst state in the nation for women’s equality. Its recent ranking of the Best and Worst States for Women has Utah ranked at 35. The overarching of A Bolder Way Forward is to help more Utah girls, women, and families thrive. “When we strengthen the impact of Utah girls and women, we strengthen everyone,” said Madsen.

View the full research summaries here.