Women’s health is often overlooked and underfunded, creating disparities in research, treatment, and healthcare access. These gaps not only affect women’s well-being but also impact economies worldwide. New research suggests that addressing these health disparities could unlock a $400 billion boost to the global economy annually by improving the productivity and health of the female workforce.
To close the women’s health gap, experts recommend five key actions: count women, study women, care for women, invest in women, and include women in all health research across their lifespans. These steps are crucial for ensuring that women’s health is adequately prioritized.
Historical Underinvestment in Women’s Health
For years, women’s health has faced chronic underinvestment, resulting in gaps in data, healthcare delivery, and treatment efficacy. A recent report from the Women’s Health Impact Tracking Platform—an initiative between the World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Women’s Health and the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI)—reveals that nine health conditions account for 35% of the global burden of disease among women. Addressing these could greatly benefit both women and the global economy.
By tackling these nine conditions, the world could reduce women’s disease burden by 27 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) each year. This approach could also add 2.5 healthy days per woman annually and increase the global economy by $400 billion by 2040.
Health Conditions Affecting Lifespan
Certain health conditions have a significant impact on women’s lifespan. For example, Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death among women, killing over 4 million annually. Women are more likely than men to die from cardiovascular events, with treatment disparities contributing to this tragic outcome. Addressing IHD could prevent 1.6 million years of life lost annually in the US and add $43 billion to the global economy.
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 85% of deaths occur. Improving early detection and treatment could save 70,000 lives each year and add $10 billion to the global economy.
Maternal hypertensive disorders and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) are leading causes of maternal mortality. Reducing these risks could prevent 140,000 deaths annually and contribute billions to global GDP.
Health Conditions Affecting Health Span
Conditions such as menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), migraines, and endometriosis significantly impact women’s quality of life. Menopause affects 450 million women globally, leading to long-term health issues like heart disease and osteoporosis. Better diagnosis and treatment of menopause could add $120 billion to the global economy each year.
PMS affects 20-40% of women of reproductive age, causing productivity losses. Addressing PMS could unlock $115 billion in economic gains annually. Migraines, which affect 21% of women, also reduce productivity and quality of life, contributing to an estimated $80 billion in potential gains. Endometriosis, which affects 190 million women, can cause chronic pain and infertility. Improving treatment for this condition could add $12 billion to global GDP.
How to Unlock $400 Billion Annually
To unlock the full economic potential of addressing these women’s health conditions, transformative changes are needed across healthcare systems, research, and societal structures. The following actions are essential:
Count Women: Improve Data Collection
Accurate data is critical, especially in low-income countries. There are significant gaps in the reporting of conditions like endometriosis, where estimates vary widely. Better data collection would help understand the true burden of women’s health.
Study Women: Prioritize Research on Women’s Health
Current clinical trials often overlook women’s health, with only 10% of trials reporting sex-specific data. Increased research on how conditions affect women differently from men could lead to better treatments and outcomes.
Care for Women: Deliver Gender-Specific Healthcare
Healthcare systems need to recognize and address the unique needs of women. This includes updating clinical guidelines and offering treatments tailored to women’s health issues, such as menopause and endometriosis.
Invest in Women: Fund Women’s Healthcare Research
Women’s health research is severely underfunded. Only a small percentage of research funding is directed at conditions that affect women. Governments, businesses, and academic institutions must invest more in this critical area to reduce health disparities.
Include Women: Address Disparities in Care
Health disparities based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status exacerbate the women’s health gap. Inclusive policies and healthcare solutions are needed to ensure all women, regardless of background, have access to the care they need.
By investing in women’s health, we can improve outcomes for women and their families, boost productivity, and unlock unprecedented economic potential. These changes are not only a moral imperative—they are an economic one that can help build stronger economies worldwide.
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