Innovation and Challenges in the Future of Women’s Healthcare
Women’s Health Week (14-20 May 2024) provides an opportunity to reflect on the changing landscape for the access, treatment, and representation of women across healthcare. Women’s health covers both sex-specific conditions (for example, endometriosis and menopause) and general health conditions that may affect women differently or disproportionately.
Historic Perspective of Women’s Healthcare
Despite clear gender differences, the medical approach to research and treatment has historically been centred around patriarchal investigation into the human body, focusing on data collection exclusively from male trials and studies. In fact, as late as 1977 the Food and Drug Administration created a policy to exclude women of reproductive potential from Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials unless they had a life-threatening condition. Including female participants in clinical studies only started in the late 1980s and was only made mandatory in the US in 1993, per National Institutes of Health guidelines.
Consequently, the impact of historical lack of studies in women or trials including women continues to this day. In 2019, women accounted for only around 40% of participants in clinical trials for three of the diseases that most affect women — cancer, cardiovascular disease, and psychiatric disorders — despite representing 51% of the U.S. population.
Current Gaps in Research and Investment
Women’s health has historically lacked investment in research and development. Just 1% of the roughly $200 billion spent on health-care research and development focuses on women’s health. Furthermore, conditions that disproportionately impact females in all world regions, such as depressive disorders, are significantly underfunded compared with the massive burden they exert.
Below is a summary of the current data regarding the women's health gap:
| Category | Statistical Data |
|---|---|
| Global deaths from Alzheimer’s and dementia (Women) | 65% |
| Global R&D spending on women's health | 1% |
| Endometriosis prevalence among women | 1 in 10 |
| Potential annual boost to global economy by 2040 | $1 trillion |
Specific Health Conditions and Unmet Needs
WHO data from 2019 showed Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia ranked as the 7th leading cause of death globally and that women are disproportionately affected. Globally, 65% of deaths from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are women. Additionally, conditions such as endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women and while there is a better understanding of the condition in recent years and new research being conducted, no new treatments has been made available to patients for 40 years.
- Maternal Healthcare: Discussions covered the potential of AI in monitoring CTGs and the need for inclusive innovation to address disparities in maternal mortality rates.
- Clinical Representation: Pregnant and nursing women are still greatly underrepresented in clinical trials, as are Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous women.
- Personal Experience: One patient stated, "I am [in my mid-sixties] and couldn’t tell you if I have been through the menopause, I have had no checks, support or reassurance from my GP practice."
Decoding the Future: FemTech and Innovation
The overarching theme of this year’s industry focus is The Future. FemTech Lab is a pioneering global femtech accelerator whose mission is to achieve a balanced approach to female health, aiming to improve the lives of one billion women globally through impact-driven innovation. This includes significant opportunities in personalised healthcare and the growing demand for preventative care.
A report by McKinsey estimated that, “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.” For the gender gap to be truly addressed, it is imperative that we put the planet at the heart of everything we do and continue to fund diversity and bake in inclusion.