Women's Health: A Global Gap and Its Impact

　　The Overlooked Sex: Gender Disparities in Healthcare

　　Despite their distinct physiological and biological differences, women have historically been treated as smaller versions of men in the context of healthcare. Research, clinical trials, and medical treatments have often been based on male models, neglecting the unique needs and experiences of women.

　　This oversight has resulted in a significant gender gap in healthcare, with women facing different symptoms, causes, and prevalence of various diseases compared to men. Medications and medical devices may also exhibit different efficacy and side effects depending on sex. Women report higher rates of adverse events and fatalities from approved medicines compared to men.

　　Furthermore, conditions that predominantly affect women are often understudied, underinvested, and underestimated. Consequently, only a small fraction of healthcare research and development targets women's health issues.

　　The Consequences of the Health Gap: A Global Impact

　　The gender gap in healthcare has profound implications for women's well-being and global economies. Despite having longer life expectancies, women spend a greater proportion of their lives in poor health, particularly during their most productive years between ages 20 and 60.

　　This disparity translates into economic costs. A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) estimates that closing the male-female health gap could boost global GDP by at least $1 trillion annually by 2040. This would be achieved through increased workforce participation, reduced lost hours, and enhanced productivity.

　　Bridging the Gap: A Three-Pronged Approach

　　To address the gender gap in healthcare and unlock its economic potential, societies can take action in three key areas:

　　1. Research and Data: Filling the Knowledge Gap

　　Strengthening the collection, analysis, and reporting of women-specific data is crucial. Many existing data sets overlook or disregard the unique needs of women, leading to underestimation of their health issues and inadequate resource allocation.

　　Asking the right questions about sex-based differences in disease presentation, causes, and outcomes is essential for closing the health gap. This includes investigating why women experience more chronic pain, have higher mortality rates after heart attacks, and face disparities in care.

　　2. Care: Ensuring Equitable Access and Quality

　　Health professionals strive to provide the best care for all patients, but women often receive suboptimal care compared to men for conditions ranging from heart disease to pain management.

　　In the United States, McKinsey Health Institute found that conditions predominantly affecting women often have higher co-payment requirements. Such practices, even if unintentional, can significantly impact access to care.

　　Improving service delivery for women, including developing sex-appropriate guidelines for screening and care, can enhance overall performance and health outcomes.

　　3. Investment: Prioritizing Women's Health Research and Funding

　　Women's health has historically received a disproportionately low share of investment compared to other areas of healthcare.

　　In Canada and the United Kingdom, only 5.9% of grants awarded between 2009 and 2020 focused on female-specific outcomes or women's health. In the United States, conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as migraines, are underfunded relative to their disease burden.

　　Closing the health gap requires increased investment in understanding sex-based differences and female-specific conditions to address unmet needs.

　　A Collective Responsibility: Addressing the Gender Gap

　　The gender gap in healthcare is not solely a women's issue; it affects everyone. About 95% of the women's health burden stems from conditions that affect both women and men.

　　By addressing the health gap, societies can improve the well-being of women, boost economic growth, and create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for all.

　　About the Authors: Lucy Perez is a senior partner in McKinsey Company's Boston office and co-leader of health equity at the McKinsey Health Institute. Tracy Francis is a senior partner and the Chief Marketing Officer of McKinsey Company.