by José Luis Cárdenas Tomažič / Dr. Guillermo E. Maligne

Adapted from the Spanish column originally published in El Economista on February 13th, 2024 (Las brechas en salud de la mujer: ¿Cómo impactan y qué hacer?)

Health equity is an ethical and social imperative that, unfortunately, is not always reflected in reality—especially when it comes to women’s health. Over the years, a series of concerning gaps has been identified that persist in this area, with profound consequences not only for levels of well-being but also for the economic development of societies. Socioeconomic and cultural factors, among others, contribute to this disparity. Understanding the causes of these gaps, their impacts, and working toward comprehensive solutions is essential to building a more equitable, healthier, and higher-well-being future.

A recent study from January 2024 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute, entitled “Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies,” warns that women spend 25% more time in “poor health” than men (technically measured as DALYs—disability-adjusted life years). It concludes that investing in closing women’s health gaps can not only add years to women’s lives, but also ensure those extra years are healthier, potentially adding $1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040.

The same study considers that women’s health encompasses both sex-specific conditions (such as endometriosis and menopause) and general diseases that may affect women differently (greater disease burden) or disproportionately (higher prevalence), such as migraine (2 to 3 times more frequent) or mental health issues like depression (nearly twice as common). Other studies have also identified significant differences in vision problems, mobility, pain, and sleep, as well as in conditions such as angina and arthritis.

On the other hand, the WEF study attributes these health gaps between men and women to several factors: (a) science in general, and clinical studies in particular, have historically focused more on the male body, underrepresenting the female body (though there are differing views on this), which limits understanding of biological sex differences and leads to fewer or less effective treatments for women; (b) women’s disease burden is systematically underestimated due to the use of data that excludes or undervalues important conditions; (c) women are more likely to experience delays in healthcare access, diagnosis, and/or treatment; and (d) there has been less investment in women’s health issues relative to their prevalence. The study ultimately proposes measures to help close these gaps and generate better health outcomes and economic benefits for society as a whole.

These include investing in educational programs that address stigmas related to women’s health and provide accurate information about reproductive health and other gender-specific issues, thereby raising public awareness and breaking down cultural and social barriers. It also recommends ensuring equitable access to healthcare services, including expanding prenatal care, family planning services, screening programs, and specialized treatments to address women’s specific needs. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of promoting the inclusion of women—at appropriate levels (they represent only 30% of participants in cardiovascular studies)—in clinical and research studies to ensure treatments are safe and effective for both sexes, as well as focusing not only on high-mortality conditions but also on those that cause disability. According to the study, this will lead to more equitable and personalized medical advances.

Another important angle identified by other studies, which also contributes to women’s health gaps, is the unequal participation of women in the labor market and wage disparities compared to men. Lower income, as a social determinant of health, has a direct impact on women’s ability to access healthcare services. Women with lower incomes often delay seeking medical care due to financial barriers, which can result in late diagnoses and less effective treatments.

Closing women’s health gaps is therefore not only an ethical imperative but also an investment in societal well-being and economic development as a whole. There is still much to understand and research regarding the causes, consequences, and possible solutions, but at least important voices have now brought this discussion to the forefront. It is now the responsibility of governments, academia, and civil society to continue deepening this conversation and to take appropriate actions to prevent women’s health issues—or, when prevention is not possible, to ensure their timely diagnosis and treatment.