The Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity We Can’t Afford to Ignore
February 14, 2025
We’ve talked endlessly about pay gaps, leadership representation, and the struggle for true workplace equity. But what about the health gap? The reality is stark: women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men, and the economic impact is staggering.
A landmark report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey & Company Health Institute (MHI) lays out the numbers: closing the women’s health gap could add $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040 and give every woman an additional seven days of good health per year. That’s millions of women feeling well enough to work, lead, and thrive instead of struggling through symptoms that are ignored, misdiagnosed, or dismissed.
This isn’t just about healthcare. It’s about economic survival. It’s about ensuring women can stay in work, reach leadership positions, and contribute to their fullest potential. Because when women’s health is sidelined, so is their success.
The Women in Work team were fortunate enough to be at the landmark launch of this report, witnessing firsthand the growing momentum around this crucial issue. The question now is: what do we do about it?
Lucy Perez, McKinsey & Company at Davos 2025
The Nine Health Conditions Holding Women - and Economies - Back
The report identifies nine key conditions that account for over a third of the women’s health gap. Some shorten lives; others force women to push through daily pain, exhaustion, and distress with little support.
Conditions that shorten women’s lives:
Ischaemic heart disease – The world’s biggest killer of women, yet still seen as a “man’s disease” in research and diagnosis.
Breast cancer & cervical cancer – Where earlier detection and access to treatment could be lifesaving.
Maternal hypertensive disorders & postpartum haemorrhage – Preventable pregnancy complications that remain leading causes of maternal death.
Conditions that impact women’s quality of life:
Menopause – Affecting 450 million women at any given time, yet still barely mentioned in medical training or workplace policies.
PMS & migraine – Common but under-researched, leaving millions suffering in silence.
Endometriosis – Affecting 1 in 10 women, yet taking an average of 8 years to diagnose.
This isn’t just a health crisis—It’s a workplace crisis. When women can’t access proper healthcare, they reduce their hours, step back from leadership, or leave the workforce altogether.
Menopause alone is estimated to cost the UK economy £1.88 billion per year in lost productivity.
PMS results in an average of 23 lost workdays per woman per year.
A 5% increase in women’s workforce participation could add up to £125 billion annually to the UK economy.
Yet despite all of this, women’s health remains a footnote in corporate strategy. Employers who ignore this risk losing their best talent, while those who act will lead the future of work.
What Needs to Change?
The report lays out five clear actions to close the women’s health gap:
Count women - Women’s health data is woefully incomplete. Medical research is still largely designed around male bodies, meaning women’s conditions are often underreported, misdiagnosed, or missed entirely.
Study women - Less than 10% of clinical trials publish sex-disaggregated data. That means most medicines and treatments haven’t been tested properly for women.
Care for women – Healthcare systems aren’t designed for women. Only 64% of cardiac guidelines even mention that women’s symptoms differ from men’s—and we wonder why women are dying needlessly.
Include all women – Health disparities hit lower-income and minority women the hardest. Closing the gap means tackling these inequalities head-on.
Invest in women – Women’s health research is chronically underfunded. We need investment in workplace health initiatives, start-ups, and policy reform—not just another roundtable discussion.
Bridging the Gender Health Gap: AI and Innovation in Women's Healthcare
At the recent Women in Work panel at Davos, an eye-opening discussion took place on the pressing need to improve women's healthcare through AI, data, and equitable access. Featuring leading voices such as Professor Lesley Regan, UK Government Women’s Health Ambassador, and experts from Mount Sinai Health System, the conversation underscored both the challenges and opportunities in revolutionising how we approach women's health across their life course.
Professor Joanne Stone from Mount Sinai highlighted how AI and digital health platforms are already transforming care, particularly for underserved communities. In the US, where healthcare access remains uneven, AI-powered telehealth services are providing life-changing support to women who might otherwise go without care due to geographic or economic barriers. Whether through AI-assisted urgent care or digital health tracking, technology is paving the way for more equitable outcomes.
The Future of Women’s Health is Integrated and Holistic
Mount Sinai is pioneering a Women’s Health Centre model that brings together gynaecologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and AI-driven triage systems to provide comprehensive care. By leveraging digital innovation, women can receive personalised health assessments, ensuring their needs are met beyond pregnancy and menopause.
Wouldn't it be groundbreaking to establish dedicated Women’s Health Centres across the UK? With a model that integrates specialist care and AI-driven diagnostics, we could revolutionise the way women receive treatment. This is sure to be high on Dame Lesley’s agenda when she joins us at this year’s WiW Summit on 9 October—where the conversation on transforming women’s healthcare will continue to gather momentum. After all, investing in women's health isn’t just about wellbeing—it’s about economic prosperity, workforce participation, and building a stronger, more resilient future for all.
The Economic and Social Imperative
The McKinsey report has made it clear—closing the gender health gap isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s an economic necessity. The data reveals that failing to address disparities in women’s healthcare costs economies trillions. For the UK alone, addressing these gaps could result in a £36 billion economic boost—an amount equivalent to 20% of the entire NHS budget. With statistics like these, the need for change is undeniable.
The time for change is now. Women’s health isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a business issue, a workforce issue, and an economic imperative.
The evidence is clear, the solutions are in front of us, and the opportunity is immense.