Experts Urge Action to Close Gender Health Gap by 2030: WEF 2026

By: WE Staff | Friday, 23 January 2026

• Experts at the WEF 2026 in Davos have emphasized accessibility, costs, and individualized care to bridge the gender gap in aspects of health
• Women, on average, live 25% more years of their lives in poor health compared to men

Strengthening accessibility and affordability, in addition to providing personalized care for women, will be key drivers in closing the gender health gap by 2030, said experts at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos.

The woman spends 25 percent more of her life spent in poor health than does the man. Delays in diagnosis and poor medical treatments are often the main culprits for such disparity between men and women.

In the session entitled "Breakthroughs in Women's Health," the panel underlined the outcomes of underinvesting in sex-specific research and innovation: unnecessary deaths, morbidity, and a loss of $1 trillion to the global economy.

The experts unanimously felt that the focus needs to be brought to the human side of health. Gargee Ghosh Chasin, President for Global Policy and Advocacy at the Gates Foundation, said, “The most impactful innovations are those that are accessible, affordable, and serve women globally.”

She said invention is crucial, but ensuring access and use is equally important to creating real impact. Innovations mentioned included the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer, AI-based ultrasounds that can spot high-risk pregnancies early, and a microarray patch for contraception.

Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, spoke to the important role of supportive effective delivery systems. "Innovations will not achieve their intended impact without sustainable financing," she said.

Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank, underlined that investment in primary care and preventive treatments given to women is crucial: “Primary care is the foundation of a healthy, stable society.”