Systemic underinvestment in women's health research perpetuates health disparities globally
Original framing: “We must close the 'shocking' knowledge gap in women's health” — New Scientist
Scientific evidence shows that gender-specific research improves outcomes for both men and women. Studies have demonstrated that excluding women from clinical trials leads to less effective treatments for women and a lack of understanding of sex-based differences in disease manifestation and treatment response.
The persistent gaps in women's health research are not due to a lack of knowledge but to systemic underinvestment and institutional bias.
By integrating Indigenous and non-Western health knowledge, revising exclusionary research practices, and supporting women-led initiatives, we can begin to address the structural inequalities that have long marginalized women's health. Historical patterns of exclusion in clinical research, combined with the marginalization of women's voices in policy and science, must be actively dismantled through inclusive funding models and participatory research frameworks. This approach not only improves health outcomes for women but also strengthens the integrity and equity of the broader health research ecosystem.