For too long, women’s health needs have been overshadowed, imposing an unspoken toll and the huge gap between how women and men’s health are treated costs $1 trillion annually world over, according to a report from the World Economic Forum.
The report, “Closing Women’s Health Gap: a $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies,” underscores the staggering economic toll of overlooking women’s health. An average of nine years spent in ill health across a woman’s life serves as a wake-up call, demanding a reevaluation of healthcare priorities.
INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT
The individual and global socio-economic impacts of neglecting women’s health are severe. This report quantifies the economic cost, emphasizing the potential benefits of closing the gap, not just for women but for entire economies. The implications extend beyond healthcare, affecting productivity and overall well-being.
Developed by the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with McKinsey Health Institute and a multistakeholder coalition championed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, the report is clear: The individual and global socio-economic impacts are severe, and the potential benefits of closing the women’s gap vast.
THE SILENT SUFFERING OF WOMEN
With only 2% of medical research funding dedicated to reproductive health, women face profound unmet needs. Painful periods, miscarriages, infertility, complications during pregnancy, and menopause often go untreated or are dismissed as “normal.” The report unveils the silent suffering of women, urging a paradigm shift in prioritizing their health. The report finds “for every one woman diagnosed with a health condition, roughly four go undiagnosed”.
GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN HEALTH: A COLLECTIVE ENDEAVOR
Responding to the report’s findings, the World Economic Forum and Ferring Pharmaceuticals spearhead the Global Alliance for Women’s Health. This multi-sector platform signifies a united front against existing health disparities, prioritizing, protecting, and promoting their health as a crucial step toward a healthier and more equitable world.
DOLLAR COST AND POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE
The report assigns a tangible dollar cost to the women’s health gap, offering a shared agenda for stakeholders committed to transformative action. However, it also highlights the broader societal and personal costs incurred due to this gap, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data and measurable interventions.
DATA DEFICIENCY: A CRITICAL CHALLENGE
The lack of data into women unique biology, health, and outcomes is a critical challenge. The report exposes the systematic absence of women’s health data in medical research, care provision, and policy development. This invisibility hampers the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of medical interventions across various conditions.
ADDRESSING UNMET NEEDS
The report spotlights the enduring unmet needs in their health innovation, exemplified by conditions like endometriosis and postpartum haemorrhage. Despite the substantial market value of treatments, few assets are in the pipeline. Urgent action is needed to accelerate progress and save lives.
A CALL TO TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION
As the world confronts the economic and personal costs of neglecting women’s health, the Global Alliance for Women’s Health emerges as a beacon of collective effort. The report serves as a clarion call for transformative action, urging stakeholders to prioritize, protect, and promote women’s health for a healthier and more prosperous.
BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE
Cultural Barriers: Women often find their ability to travel or leave homes restricted by cultural norms and practices. Visiting a healthcare facility can be deemed dishonourable in certain cultures, particularly for adolescents.
Financial Barriers: Limited financial capacity acts as a deterrent for women seeking maternal and newborn healthcare services. The fear of excessive expenses can prompt women to delay seeking care, exacerbating health risks.
Gender Inequality: The pervasive issue of gender inequality poses formidable barriers to women’s access to health information and services. Tackling this imbalance is crucial for empowering women in various aspects, including education, formal employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Healthcare Inequities: Inequities in unpaid care contribute to limitations on women’s economic rights and opportunities. This extends to hindrances in education, formal employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.
Attitudinal Barriers: Healthcare staff and related personnel sometimes impose attitudinal barriers, denying access to practitioners or services. This is particularly true for women with psychosocial or intellectual impairments, deaf and deaf blind women, and those still institutionalized.
Confidentiality and Stigma: Privacy and confidentiality issues at hospitals emerge as significant barriers to adherence. Instances of healthcare workers lacking confidentiality, gossiping, or discussing patients’ HIV status with community members contribute to the stigma surrounding health issues.
Education: A lack of education and empowerment exacerbates health inequities, acting as a barrier to seeking medical care and making informed medical choices. Bridging the educational gap is fundamental to enhancing women’s overall health outcomes.
Health Services Access: In certain countries, women confront substantial barriers in accessing healthcare services, leading to a lack of comprehensive HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. Addressing these barriers is essential for ensuring equitable healthcare access globally.
