This new report – from the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute – presents a practical roadmap to close critical gaps in women’s care delivery. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men, with one-third of this gap caused by preventable failures in care, such as underscreening, underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Addressing these issues could help each woman reclaim 2.5 days of healthy life annually, avert tens of thousands of adverse medical events and generate a 3–6x return on investment through preventive care. This is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the health systems.
Drawing on the expertise of more than 20 leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem, three high-impact clinical pathways – breast arterial calcification and cardiovascular disease, pregnancy-related cardiovascular risk and perinatal depression – are identified, where targeted interventions could drive meaningful change both for women and the healthcare industry, and outlines a suite of practical solutions for each.
The report introduces the CARE framework, a comprehensive approach for stakeholders to Conduct research, Align care, Report using clear standards and Engage patients. This actionable framework empowers stakeholders to drive better outcomes for women, families and societies worldwide.