Experts at WEF 2026 Call to Close Gender Health Gap by 2030

• Experts at WEF 2026 in Davos emphasized that the accessibility, cost, and personalized care needed to close the gap between women’s health
• Women, on average, have 25% more years of their lives in poor health than men

Experts in the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos highlighted the need to enhance accessibility, affordability, and personalized treatment approaches among women in order to achieve the health gap closure by 2030.

Women live 25 percent of their lives in poorer health compared to men, and they experience lesser health because of delays and inappropriateness of medical treatments.

In a session termed “Breakthroughs in Women’s Health,” the panel of experts recognized the consequences of a lack of investment in sex specific research and innovation.

Such a lack has resulted in preventable mortality and morbidity, along with a loss in the global economy worth $1 trillion.

All members’ unanimous consensus was to change the emphasis to the “human” side of the equation. Gargee Ghosh Chasin, the President for Global Policy and Advocacy at the Gates Foundation, explained, “The biggest innovations tend to be those that are accessible, affordable, and serving women around the world.”

Of course, invention is crucial, but equally important is making sure there is access and use, and these words product and impact separate quite easily.

She also mentioned innovations like the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer, an AI-based ultrasound for early detection for high-risk pregnancies, and a “microarray patch” for contraception.

Sania Nishtar, as the CEO of Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, highlighted that “innovations have to be backed by effective delivery,” she said. “If innovations are not backed by sustainable finance, they’re unlikely to have the desired impact.”

Nadia Calviño, the President of the European Investment Bank, has stressed the need to invest in primary care services as well as providing preventative treatments to women, saying: “primary care is the basic foundation of healthy and stable society.”