Why Women's Healthcare Matters More Than You Think: Expert Insights 2025

The hidden cost of ignoring women's health

The financial burden of neglecting women's health extends far beyond individual suffering. Globally, addressing the women's health gap could boost the economy by £0.79 trillion annually by 2040. This significant economic opportunity emerges from the stark reality that women spend nine additional years in poor health compared to men.

In the workplace, these health inequities translate to substantial productivity losses. Women with severe period pain miss approximately 18 workdays annually, costing the UK economy nearly £3.7 billion. Similarly, heavy periods result in 11 lost workdays, amounting to £4.7 billion in economic impact. Moreover, around 60,000 UK women cannot work because of menopause symptoms, representing a potential £1.5 billion annual economic opportunity.

Behind these numbers lie troubling diagnostic delays. For endometriosis, which affects one in ten women, diagnosis takes an average of eight years. During this journey, 58% of patients visit their GP more than ten times, while 21% see hospital doctors ten or more times before receiving answers.

The psychological toll is equally concerning—76% of women waiting for gynaecological care report deteriorating mental health. Additionally, many experience medical gaslighting, with their pain often dismissed as "just normal women's problems". This systemic undervaluation is reflected in research funding, where less than 2.5% goes to women's reproductive health.

Systemic gaps in women's healthcare

Healthcare gaps exist because medicine has focused on men for decades, treating the male body as the norm. Medical studies often left out women, and male data was wrongly applied to them, due to concerns about fertility, researcher bias, and the idea that males represent all humans.

This has big effects. Women wait longer for diagnoses and pain relief. For endometriosis, it takes an average of 4.4 years to get diagnosed after the first doctor visit. In heart care, women have different heart attack symptoms but are under-investigated, leading to more complications and deaths six months after being admitted to the hospital.

Research funding keeps these inequalities going, with only 5% of global R\&D going to women's health. This means doctors can't confidently prescribe drugs or use devices for women.

This gap is even bigger for women of color, who face language barriers, cultural insensitivity, and discrimination. Shockingly, 84% of people in a survey said their voices weren't heard in healthcare. Even when women are in studies, the results often aren't analysed by sex or gender.

Reframing health as an investment, not an expense

Investing in women's health isn't just good for well-being, it's a smart economic move. In England, every extra pound spent on women's health can bring back about £11, potentially boosting the economy by £319 million.

Globally, closing the women's health gap could add about £0.79 trillion to the economy each year by 2040. For every £0.79 invested, there's a potential gain of £2.38 in economic growth.

Health systems that invest more in women's health also see fewer sick days among NHS staff, showing how it benefits the workforce.

This isn't just charity—it's a valuable opportunity. Private equity recognizes this, with over £63.53 billion invested in women's health in just four years.

Improving women's health is both fair and economically essential, according to the McKinsey Health Institute.

Curious about the next step in your health journey? Discover valuable solutions and make a smart investment in your future.

Conclusion

Addressing the systemic gaps in women's healthcare is not merely a matter of equity, but a critical economic imperative. By reframing healthcare as an investment, not an expense, we unlock the immeasurable potential of half the population. Ignoring women's health has hidden costs to our society. It's time to invest in women's health.

Curious about the next step in your health journey? Discover valuable solutions and make a smart investment in your future.

This article contains affiliate links; if you decide to go ahead and purchase, I may receive a small commission.