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Women’s Health • WEF Report • Health Equity • Economic Growth • Data Gap

Closing the Women’s Health Gap Could Add $400 Billion to Global GDP by 2040: WEF Report

The World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute, has released a landmark report titled “Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health Gap”. It reveals that improving women’s health globally could boost GDP by an estimated $400 billion by 2040. The findings highlight the urgent need to invest in research, data, and equitable care for women.

⚖️ Persistent Disparities in Women’s Health

• Women experience 25% more years of poor health than men.
• Only 10% of clinical trials for major diseases like ischemic heart disease and migraine include sex-specific analysis.
• Research and funding gaps contribute to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and poor health outcomes.

🔬 Key Health Conditions Identified

The report identifies nine health conditions, grouped as:

Lifespan Conditions:

• Maternal hypertensive disorders
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Ischemic heart disease
• Cervical cancer
• Breast cancer

Health Span Conditions:

• Endometriosis
• Menopause
• Migraine
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

🕒 Impact: Addressing these could yield 2.5 additional healthy days per woman annually.

📊 Women’s Health Impact Tracking (WHIT)

• A new public platform launched by WEF and McKinsey
• Tracks economic and health burdens of women’s conditions globally
• Emphasises that PMS, menopause, and migraine alone represent a $315 billion opportunity in global economic output

🌍 Regional and Economic Context

• 54% of the global women’s health burden lies in low- and middle-income countries
• Yet, only 23% of clinical research focuses on these regions
• Bridging this gap is key for equitable health solutions

🛠️ Five Key Actions for Stakeholders

1. Count Women
   → Improve data collection and disaggregated reporting
2. Study Women
   → Direct funding toward research on female-specific conditions
3. Care for Women
   → Develop clinical guidelines tailored to women’s needs
4. Include All Women
   → Prioritise marginalised populations for health equity
5. Invest in Women
   → Back innovation in diagnostics, treatment, and care delivery

The WEF’s call to action puts women’s health at the forefront of economic development. Closing this longstanding health gap isn’t just a matter of justice—it’s smart economics with global benefits.