The NYC Women’s Health Policy Forum held on October 30, 2025, brought together leaders from various sectors to discuss the pressing issues surrounding women’s health equity. The event emphasized the need for innovation, investment, and policy reforms to address the disparities that exist in women’s healthcare.
One of the key points raised at the forum was the economic impact of women’s health inequities. While women live longer than men, they spend more years in poor health and face higher healthcare costs. This not only affects individual women but also has broader economic implications, costing the economy trillions of dollars. By addressing these disparities through innovative solutions, we can not only improve patient care but also reshape the healthcare landscape.
The forum highlighted the importance of viewing women’s health as a lifelong journey, from puberty to menopause and beyond. It emphasized the need to move away from treating women’s health as a niche issue and recognize it as a significant economic opportunity. Closing the gender health gap could potentially add up to $1 trillion to the global economy each year, according to McKinsey.
Policy reforms were identified as crucial steps in advancing health equity for women. Federal signals and market incentives play a significant role in driving innovation and investment in women’s health. State-level actions, such as those taken by New York Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal to address menopause coverage and stigma, can also lead to significant changes in healthcare practices.
The forum also addressed the urgent need to close the gaps in rural women’s health, where access to care is limited, and healthcare infrastructure is lacking. Innovations in telemedicine and increased investment in rural healthcare were highlighted as essential steps in addressing these disparities.
Founders and startups were recognized for their role in driving change in women’s health. Companies like Rosie, Sena Therapeutics, and Cure are developing innovative solutions for women’s health conditions that have long been overlooked. These women-led startups are not only addressing critical healthcare needs but also attracting private capital to support their growth.
Overall, the forum concluded with a call to action to build a movement for women’s health equity. By aligning incentives across the healthcare system, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors can work together to ensure that women have access to quality care that reflects their biology, respects their experiences, and contributes to healthier communities. The future of women’s health innovation depends on our ability to meet this demand with urgency, empathy, and evidence.
