Report

Closing the women’s health gap

An analysis by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute found that increased investment to address the women’s health gap would not only improve lives, but could also significantly boost the global economy. The report lays out the health and economic arguments in favor of focused investments and the path forward to addressing the longstanding gaps.

What our research found

HOW WE DID IT

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Addressing the drivers of the women’s health gap would require substantial investment but also open new market opportunities.
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A systemic and proactive approach to reporting clinical outcomes could resolve data gaps which currently underestimate and underreport women's health burden, limiting innovation and investment.
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Creation of sex-and gender-responsive care delivery systems could unlock better care delivery solutions tailored to women’s needs.
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Directing investments toward women’s health to fund sources that typically overlook that many conditions manifest differently in each sex.

Our research showed that closing the women’s health gap could generate nearly $295 billion in the U.S. in annual, incremental GDP by 2040.

Megan Greenfield is a partner and Lucy Pérez a senior partner at McKinsey & Company’s Boston office, where they are affiliated with the McKinsey Health Institute.
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Report

Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies

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Investments addressing the women’s health gap could add years to life and life to years—and potentially boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040.

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