About the KLAR study
Every year, 27,500 Norwegian women enter menopause, with 30% experiencing significant health problems that reduce their quality of life and work capacity. The problems are often defined as non-specific, but contribute to reduced quality of life and to a large extent to women's absence from work and disability pension.
An important project
Silence and stigma surrounding women’s menopause have created a significant knowledge gap—not only among women themselves, but also within health education, the healthcare system, and Norwegian working life. There is therefore a need for increased knowledge about the connection between menopause and women's sick leave and exit from the workforce. Norwegian working life is not sufficiently aware of the substantial loss of highly competent women who choose to leave the workforce, reduce their working hours, or are put on short- or long-term sick leave due to symptoms related to menopause. The life phase from 45 to 55 years has the potential for great capacity, strong engagement and career development. For many women, this potential is not realised due to a lack of knowledge about health problems associated with menopause, as well as a lack of research on the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
In the Women’s Health Committee’s report (NOU 2023:5 “The Great Difference”), (external link) it is pointed out that more research is needed to determine the role menopausal symptoms play in women’s withdrawal from working life at this age. The research project “KLAR – Women’s Health, Menopause and Working Life” is addressing this issue. The project’s goal is to improve health, health services and work participation for women in menopause, as well as to redefine society's and working life's perception of menopause. The work was initiated in 2022 by the research group Work, Health and Gender at the University of Bergen. In addition to UiB, the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, NORCE, Lancaster University (UK), and Roskilde University (Denmark) are part of the collaboration. Municipalities, as well as general practitioners and gynecologists, also participate in the project. The project is made possible by the Grieg Foundation.
The project consists of four work packages (WP)
WP 1
WP 1
To explore menopause as experienced by women, as encountered within the healthcare system and working life, and as presented in public documents – in the context of the Norwegian welfare state. The work package is led by Professor Anette Fagertun at the Centre for Care Research, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
WP 2
To explore women's menopausal symptoms using Norwegian health and welfare registers - studies of diagnosis and treatment patterns and consequences for sustainable work participation. The work package is led by Professor Inger Haukenes at the University of Bergen and NORCE.
WP 3
To explore the relevance, usefulness and contextualization of the European Guidelines on Menopause at Work (EMAS) at micro-level (female employee), meso-level (managers) and macro-level (employee-employer organization) in Norway. The work package is led by Professor Silje Mæland at the University of Bergen.
WP 4
The project's fourth work package is ongoing and focuses on information, communication and knowledge sharing for businesses, organizations, the health service and the population. This is given high priority in order to meet the growing demand for knowledge about women's health, menopause and work. The work package is led by Professor Silje Mæland at the University of Bergen.