On International Women’s Day, let’s talk about a major gap: Women’s health has long been underfunded and overlooked in the healthcare industry. We must ask: how can we drive change, and how can healthcare and life sciences companies step up?
Only 4% of biopharma R&D spending is directed toward women-specific conditions. This is despite the fact that women have distinct health needs that go beyond e.g. reproductive health or menopausal/postmenopausal conditions. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men.
At Simon-Kucher, we believe that better health should be a reality for everyone. As commercial advisors, we help healthcare and life sciences companies navigate the evolving landscape of women’s health. Our aim is to ensure innovations not only reach the market but also deliver tangible value to patients and providers alike.
Women’s health deserves more than 4%
Women experience different health challenges throughout their lives, from pregnancy and menopause to higher incidences of autoimmune diseases and conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease. Yet, for too long, the industry has been reactive rather than proactive in addressing these gaps. While strides have been made in areas such as breast cancer treatment and maternal health, other conditions that predominantly or disproportionately affect women, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and cardiovascular disease, remain under-researched and underfunded.
This lack of investment in women’s health is not just a health issue; it’s an economic and societal one. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatments for women’s health conditions lead to higher healthcare costs, lost productivity, and decreased quality of life for millions.
Meanwhile, social stigma around women’s health issues is starting to fade. More open conversations about menopause and other conditions indicate a cultural shift that the healthcare industry must acknowledge and support.
I've seen that there is also less stigma attached to gender-specific demands, like more broadly talking about menopause or other types of situations that are gender specific.
- AESGP survey participant
How the industry can take action
To improve women’s health, healthcare and life sciences companies must take a multi-faceted approach. This covers everything from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment innovations and continuous monitoring. We also see three critical areas where action is needed:
1. Investment in women-specific R&D
- More funding is needed to develop new therapies and diagnostics for conditions that predominantly impact women.
- Companies should proactively seek clinical trial diversity, ensuring treatments cater to women’s biology and medical needs.
- Women’s health should not be viewed as a niche market but as a high-growth opportunity with unmet demand.
2. Better access and affordability
- Reimbursement models must evolve to cover preventative screenings, innovative diagnostics, and long-term care solutions for conditions like osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, and post-menopausal health.
- Pricing and access strategies should be designed with affordability and patient pathways in mind, ensuring more women receive the care they need.
- The digital health revolution presents an opportunity to reach more women through telemedicine, wearable health technology, and AI-powered diagnostics.
Right now, there might be women who feel like traditional healthcare doesn't quite fit their needs. This could lead to them feeling more motivated and empowered to take control of their own health. I can totally see a future where more and more women are turning to self-care solutions like mobile apps, even if they have to pay out of pocket for them
- AESGP survey participant
3. Awareness and education
- Despite being the primary decision-makers for their families' health, many women lack awareness of their own health risks. For example, while heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, only 44% recognize it as their biggest health threat, and many still perceive it as a "man's disease," leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
- Healthcare providers, insurers, and life sciences companies must work together to educate women on early symptoms, preventative care, and available treatment options.
Women’s health is not a niche. Let's close the gap.
Healthcare has the potential to deliver more value. But only if it prioritizes early intervention, proactive treatment, and continuous support for women’s health. The industry needs to shift from seeing women’s health as an afterthought to recognizing it as a key area for growth and innovation.
At Simon-Kucher, we are committed to supporting this transformation. With our expertise in commercial strategy, pricing, and market access, we help healthcare and life sciences companies navigate the complexities of bringing women’s health solutions to market in a sustainable, scalable, and impactful way.
