Women’s health only receives 6 per cent of private healthcare investment despite women representing almost half of the global population, according to a new World Economic Forum report, launched today.

Of these limited funds, 90 per cent flow into just three areas: women’s cancers, reproductive health and maternal health, leaving other high-burden, high-prevalence conditions that impact women uniquely, differently, or disproportionally undercapitalised. Low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by this funding gap.

This underinvestment threatens women’s health and leaves significant economic value untapped. These are the main findings of the inaugural Women’s Health Investment Outlook, which examines the current investment landscape and identifies opportunities to accelerate capital flows into women’s health.

“Men’s health has long been the default baseline for research and product development, with clinical standards, trial designs and innovation pipelines often calibrated to male physiology and needs,” said Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare, World Economic Forum. “This approach systematically sidelines conditions that affect women uniquely, differently, or disproportionately, leaving critical areas underfunded, under-researched and underserved.”

Tapping Into a US$100 Billion Opportunity to Invest in Women's Health

Despite longer life expectancy, women spend approximately 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health or with a disability. This gap reflects the cumulative burden of conditions that disproportionately affect women - through biological differences, distinct disease presentation or progression, or higher prevalence - reducing both well-being and workforce participation.l.

The narrow focus of investment in women’s health issues has meant that other high-prevalence conditions that affect women and put a significant strain on health systems have been underfunded for many years. These include cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, menopause and Alzheimer’s. These four areas alone are estimated to exceed US$100 billion in potential market opportunity in the United States alone by 2030, assuming standard care reaches all women.

Other underrepresented areas impacting women uniquely, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and menstrual health, affect tens of millions of women, but receive less than 2 per cent of women’s health investment, the report finds.

Read the full article about unlocking investment in women’s health at Eco-Business.