The gender gap at health is a challenge that affects all layers of society and requires immediate attention and global action.
During the recent World Economic Forum at Davosleaders and experts from around the world joined together for a crucial session entitled “Cerrar la brecha de salud de género”where a revealing report of the Forum and of the McKinsey Health Institute: “Cerrar la brecha de salud de las mujeres: una oportunidad de 1 billón de dólares para mejorar vidas y economías”.
The report highlights that only 1% of global healthcare research and development is devoted to women-specific conditions. This imbalance is evidence of the pressing need to address and close the health gap gender equality in order to achieve equality in this crucial aspect of life.
World Economic Forum The company's womenOn average, they live longer than men, the report reveals, spending 25% more of their lives in poor health. Problems such as poor sanitation, which claims 1.4 million lives per year according to the World Health Organizationdisproportionately impact women and girls.
In addition, conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, depression and gynecological diseases limit women's contribution to economic growth.
The report highlights the case of the Indiawhere lack of access to water and sanitation has threatened women's health and safety. However, government measures, such as the construction of 110 million toilets and the provision of 130 million safe water connections, have marked significant progress.
Wellness and health insurance programs have supported nearly 146 million women, encouraging prevention with 168 million breast screenings and 113 million cervical cancer screenings.
This preventive approach and initiatives such as the national nutrition mission, Poshan AbhiyaanThe program has broken social stigmas, empowering women economically and encouraging them to seek health services.
The burden of women's health is not only borne by those affected, but affects society as a whole. As the report highlights Closing the Women’s Health Gap, “las disparidades en la salud de las mujeres afectan no solo su calidad de vida sino también su participación económica y su capacidad para ganarse la vida para ellas y sus familias”.
Close the gender gap in health would not only prevent years lost to ill health or premature death, but would also enable women to contribute more actively to economic growth and the labor force.
This challenge must be addressed not only as a solution for women, but as an improvement for the entire population. The responsibility for closing this gap is shared and requires a global commitment to ensure a healthier and more equal future for all.
Source: World Economic Forum