Women’s healthcare is evolving to meet the diverse needs of women at different stages of life and with various medical conditions. A recent report, titled “The WHAM Report: The Business Case for Accelerating Women’s Health Investment,” was launched at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, signaling a paradigm shift in women’s healthcare. This shift goes beyond traditional reproductive health to encompass a wide range of conditions that uniquely affect women, such as autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular conditions.
The report emphasizes the economic and health benefits of investing in women’s health, highlighting the untapped potential in this market. Carolee Lee, CEO and Founder of WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters), believes that accelerating innovation in women’s health can lead to significant economic growth and improved health outcomes for women and society as a whole.
One key finding of the report is that only 5% of health conditions are exclusive to women, such as menopause, ovarian cancer, and endometriosis. The remaining 95% represent a vast untapped market, including conditions like autoimmune diseases and Alzheimer’s, which disproportionately affect women. This highlights the need for sex-differentiated healthcare to address the unique healthcare needs of women.
Investors are increasingly recognizing the growth potential in the women’s health sector. The report cites the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 as a milestone in closing the gender gap in medical research, leading to increased commercialization and investment in women’s health. A White House initiative funded by $1 billion in ARPA-H funding is further driving research and investment in women’s health.
Despite a 300% increase in VC investment in women’s health between 2018 and 2023, only 2% of VC health investments went to women’s health. However, success stories like Hologic, Ōura, and Kindbody reaching unicorn status demonstrate the sector’s viability for high returns. The report projects that VC investment in women’s healthcare could reach $66 billion by 2033, presenting a significant opportunity for investors.
To capitalize on this growing market, the report emphasizes a collaborative approach to investment in women’s health. WHAM has formed two collaboratives focused on research and investment to accelerate innovation in women’s health. The Investment Collaborative aims to double venture capital investment in women-owned companies by 2026 and drive advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and prevention for women’s health.
Overall, the WHAM Report underscores the substantial economic and societal benefits of investing in women’s health. By embracing this evolving market and driving innovation, investors can not only improve health outcomes for women globally but also unlock significant economic growth in the process.
