While many states exempt "essential items" from sales taxes, 26 states continue to tax period products. (© Korta - stock.adobe.com)

The cost of being a woman — especially a woman of color — only increases over her lifetime. From a gender wage gap to the so-called “tampon tax” on period products, data has historically demonstrated women earn less and pay more for essential items.

On International Women’s Day (March 8), which calls for action to #EmbraceEquity, it’s important to understand that economic inequities affect women’s physical and mental health, says Dr. Joanne Armstrong, vice president and chief medical officer for women's health and genomics for CVS Health.

“As women, we’re often taught to minimize our needs and put others first, but it's important for us to validate and address our holistic health in order to stay healthy for ourselves and all those who rely on us,” says Armstrong. “We also need to work to help ensure health equity, which means ensuring every individual has a just and fair chance to attain their optimal health, unencumbered by other factors like gender, racial and societal biases.”

According to a national Harris Poll commissioned by CVS Health, two thirds of Americans are unfamiliar with the term “period poverty,” which can hinder efforts to achieving true equity.

The cost of period poverty

Period poverty — the inability of people who have periods to purchase the menstrual products they need to attend work or school or participate in daily life — exemplifies how health inequities can hold women back.

While many states exempt “essential items” such as groceries and toilet paper from sales taxes, 26 states continue to tax period products, which are essential to those who menstruate.

The economic costs and mental health impacts of trying to afford essential period products add up, says Armstrong. “Periods happen every month for 40 years of a woman's life,” she says. “That's a long time — about 3,500 days, or 10 whole years.”

According to the World Bank, over 500 million people face period poverty across the globe, struggling to access period products as well as safe and hygienic spaces to use them. The stigma and shame associated with menstruation further limits their participation in public life.

In the U.S., 45% of those with periods are regularly stressed about affording period products, according to the Harris Poll, while a separate report found that half of those from low-income backgrounds had to choose between buying food or period products.

The inequities start early: According to a 2021 study, period poverty impacts nearly a quarter of all students ages 13-19 who menstruate (up from 1 in 5 in 2019), with lower-income and people of color affected most.

Beyond the financial inequities, period poverty has medical impacts if people are forced to ration their period products, or use makeshift and possibly unsanitary solutions, Armstrong says. Stigma and shame can also prevent people from obtaining timely care for related medical problems.

“Period poverty is an important equity issue that's really underappreciated in this country,” Armstrong says.

Laila (left) and Asia Brown (right) of 601 for Period Equity are a Black woman-led organization working to increase equity for marginalized people by providing period products for those in need. (Photo courtesy of CVS Health)

Taking action to improve health

Women of color are disproportionately affected by period poverty: According to a study of college-aged women, 25% of Latina women and 19% of Black women said they experienced period poverty in the past year compared to 12% of white women.

To combat this trend, Gen Z sisters Asia and Laila Brown co-founded 601 for Period Equity, a Black woman-led, grassroots organization that is working to increase equity for marginalized people by providing period products to those in need. They also live in Mississippi, which sees one of the highest tax rates on period products at 7%.

“I don't think anybody should have to choose between other essentials or groceries and buying the pads they need,” says Asia Brown in a live panel discussion hosted by CVS Health. “They're not luxuries; we need them to survive and thrive.”

Eliminating taxes on period products also makes them more accessible to communities who need them — and helps to reduce stigmas about having periods, says Laila Brown.

“So many menstruating people have stories where they've been teased or where they've been embarrassed to go to the bathroom with a pad or tampon in their hand,” she says. “I feel like we all have a middle school story where we were scared or embarrassed.”

Nationwide, a majority of Americans say period products should be supplied for free at schools (77%), workplaces (59%) and anywhere there is a public restroom (58%), according to the Harris Poll.

“Clearly, there is more to do in terms of elevating the issue and impact of period poverty,” says Armstrong.

Taking a bold stance

CVS Health is stepping up to help by paying the sales tax on period products sold to customers in 12 states and collaborating with organizations such as Period Law and PERIOD to eliminate menstrual taxes altogether.

CVS Health is also ensuring fair and equitable pricing for men’s and women’s comparable products in all of its retail locations, as well as reducing the prices of CVS Health store brand period products in core stores by 25%, says Armstrong.

“We are addressing period poverty because it is an important equity issue and impacts the ways in which women can show up for work, school and their lives,” she adds.

The company has also expanded MinuteClinic in-person and virtual women’s health care services in select states and Washington, D.C. including mental health services, menstrual health support, and both in-person and virtual contraception prescribing services.

The company has also expanded MinuteClinic in-person and virtual women’s health care services, including mental health services in select states, menstrual health support, and both in-person and virtual contraception prescribing services.

“Equitable health care means women can have the resources and products they need to achieve optimal overall health,” says Asia Brown. “We all have a part to play in making sure that equity is a reality for all.”

Produced by AP Content Services, the paid content service of The Associated Press. The AP news staff was not involved in the creation of this content.

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Period poverty: The cost of gender bias adds up