Closing the gap

Women health encompasses both sex-specific conditions and conditions affecting women differently or disproportionately, yet it is too often oversimplified to include sexual and reproductive health only. The distinction matters, as despite having longer life expectancies than men, women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health. They are also seven times more likely than men to have a heart condition misdiagnosed or be discharged during a heart attack. Health and economic prosperity are closely connected, as poor health reduces women’s productivity and earning potential. A new report published by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute seeks to address the root causes of the women’s health gap. They estimate that closing that gap could boost the global economy by at least USD 1 trillion annually by 2040.

Green = increase in productivity, blue = fewer health conditions, pink = fewer early death

Source: McKinsey, January 2024.