A new report unveiled at the World Economic Forum reveals a chronic lack of investment in women’s healthcare, despite women constituting nearly half of the global population. Only 6% of private healthcare investment is directed towards women, with a significant portion allocated to women’s cancers, reproductive health, and maternal health. This leaves conditions like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and menstrual health severely underfunded.
The report emphasizes that conditions unique to women, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), receive less than 2% of women’s health investment. Particularly affected are women in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare disparities are more pronounced. Shyam Bishen from the World Economic Forum notes that research and product development in healthcare have historically favored men, neglecting women’s unique health needs.
Women’s underinvestment in healthcare is linked to a higher likelihood of living with poor health or disability, despite having longer life expectancies. However, there is a growing momentum in investing in women’s health, focusing on areas like cancer therapeutics, digital healthcare for maternal and mental health, and wearable devices for monitoring conditions like PCOS. The report calls for collaborative efforts to enhance the evidence base in women’s health, improve transparency in outcomes, and modernize regulatory frameworks.
