The Economic Case for Gender Equity: How Closing the Women’s Health Gap Benefits Healthcare Systems and Economies
Author(s)
Grammati Sarri, MSc, PhD1, Lilia Leisle, BS, MSc, PhD2, Alexandra Starry, PhD2, Jeff Muir, MSc3.
1Executive Research Principal, Cytel, London, United Kingdom, 2Cytel, Berlin, Germany, 3Cytel, Toronto, ON, Canada.
1Executive Research Principal, Cytel, London, United Kingdom, 2Cytel, Berlin, Germany, 3Cytel, Toronto, ON, Canada.
OBJECTIVES: Women health has long been neglected due to research underinvestment, data gaps and absence of policy frameworks to recognize and account for women health gap in healthcare decision-making. While there is a clear, ethical imperative to provide equitable, high-quality healthcare for all —including women—demonstrating the economic impact of addressing these inequities can serve as a mobilizing stimulus for policy action.
METHODS: A targeted review in Pubmed and grey literature including web searches was conducted in June 2025 to identify peer-reviewed publications and summary reports (in English) from organizations and healthcare systems presenting the economic impacts of closing the women’s health gap. No geographical restrictions were applied. Information was systematically extracted and synthesized.
RESULTS: Out of 1,987 initial records, eight peer-reviewed publications were included that examined the economic benefits of preventive strategies for cervical cancer—primarily through vaccination programs—and maternity services in low- and middle-income countries. Supplementary search identified two of the most comprehensive reports on the broader economic impact of closing the women’s health gap: the World Economic Forum with the McKinsey Health Institute (2024) and the NHS Confederation in England (2025). The former estimated that global investment in nine key health conditions—responsible for one-third of the women’s health gap—could generate an additional $1 trillion in annual GDP by 2040, alongside 27 million additional disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for women. The NHS report projected that investing £1 per woman in obstetrics and gynaecology services could yield a £319 million increase in gross value for the English economy. Notably, most of these economic gains were attributed to enhanced female labor force participation and productivity.
CONCLUSIONS: Although limited research has been conducted to quantify the economic impact of closing the women’s health gap, existing evidence suggests substantial global macroeconomic benefits when targeted investments are made in diseases that disproportionately affect women.
METHODS: A targeted review in Pubmed and grey literature including web searches was conducted in June 2025 to identify peer-reviewed publications and summary reports (in English) from organizations and healthcare systems presenting the economic impacts of closing the women’s health gap. No geographical restrictions were applied. Information was systematically extracted and synthesized.
RESULTS: Out of 1,987 initial records, eight peer-reviewed publications were included that examined the economic benefits of preventive strategies for cervical cancer—primarily through vaccination programs—and maternity services in low- and middle-income countries. Supplementary search identified two of the most comprehensive reports on the broader economic impact of closing the women’s health gap: the World Economic Forum with the McKinsey Health Institute (2024) and the NHS Confederation in England (2025). The former estimated that global investment in nine key health conditions—responsible for one-third of the women’s health gap—could generate an additional $1 trillion in annual GDP by 2040, alongside 27 million additional disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for women. The NHS report projected that investing £1 per woman in obstetrics and gynaecology services could yield a £319 million increase in gross value for the English economy. Notably, most of these economic gains were attributed to enhanced female labor force participation and productivity.
CONCLUSIONS: Although limited research has been conducted to quantify the economic impact of closing the women’s health gap, existing evidence suggests substantial global macroeconomic benefits when targeted investments are made in diseases that disproportionately affect women.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
PCR228
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Patient-Centered Research
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Reproductive & Sexual Health