For decades, women’s health has been systematically underfunded and under-researched, leading to widespread and serious consequences. Millions of women suffer from preventable pain, delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and difficulties accessing appropriate care. These health disparities do not just affect individuals; they ripple outwards, impacting families, workplaces, and the wider economy.
In recent years, the UK has made important strides toward addressing these issues. In 2022, the government unveiled England’s first-ever Women’s Health Strategy, marking a milestone in recognizing that women’s health needs have long been neglected in research, policy, and healthcare service design. The strategy commits to better menopause support, increased funding for research, and the establishment of women’s health hubs—convenient centers providing a range of services from gynecology and sexual health to contraception and menopause care. These hubs are designed to improve access, enhance patient experiences, reduce health inequalities, and foster better coordination across NHS services.
However, just two years later, this promising momentum faces serious threats. Recent NHS-wide reforms and cost-cutting measures have led to the removal of national funding incentives for women’s health hubs, sparking alarm within the health sector. These hubs, which have demonstrated early success in narrowing gender health gaps by centralizing essential services such as menstrual and menopause support alongside reproductive care, are now at risk of being dismantled before their full potential is realized.
Our team at RAND Europe, in partnership with Birmingham University, recently conducted an evaluation of these hubs. Feedback from women who used them was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the critical role of close collaboration between hub leadership and local healthcare providers in delivering quality care. Despite these encouraging findings, many hubs face uncertain futures, raising fears that years of progress could be undone.
This issue is far from marginal. Women make up 51% of the UK population but have historically been underrepresented in clinical research. This underrepresentation has created blind spots in diagnosis and treatment, with many conditions affecting millions—such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and heavy menstrual bleeding—remaining poorly understood and insufficiently addressed. Beyond reproductive health, gender-specific gaps in understanding diseases like heart disease and dementia put women’s lives at risk.
At the same time, the field of women’s health is experiencing a surge in innovation. The “femtech” industry is projected to reach a global value of $117 billion by 2029. Breakthroughs ranging from AI-powered diagnostic apps and wearable menstrual trackers to 3D-printed uterine devices, advanced ultrasound technologies, and novel breast cancer treatments promise exciting new possibilities. Yet innovation alone cannot close health gaps. Without careful and inclusive implementation, these advances risk widening disparities further. Women’s healthcare access and outcomes continue to vary by geography, ethnicity, and income, and new technologies may inadvertently deepen these divides if they do not reflect the diversity of women’s experiences.
Concerns about bias in medical technology, particularly artificial intelligence, are mounting. Algorithms trained on data that lack population diversity may fail to recognize key symptoms in women from minority backgrounds or produce inaccurate results. Transparency, oversight, and inclusive design are essential to ensuring technology benefits all women.
Even the most cutting-edge tools are ineffective without strong healthcare systems to support them. Innovation must be embedded within accessible, well-funded services tailored to women’s real needs. Building trust, ensuring cultural relevance, and maintaining sensitivity are not optional—they are vital for success.
As the UK undertakes NHS reforms, women’s health must remain a priority. Achieving the goals of the Women’s Health Strategy requires sustained commitment and evidence-based investment, not just isolated apps or pilot programs. Our research at RAND Europe highlights two major challenges: unequal access to care and a disconnect between innovation and actual women’s needs.
To create meaningful, lasting change, three priorities must be addressed: sustainable funding to ensure women’s health hubs and services are permanent and resilient; strengthened collaboration across the NHS, academia, industry, charities, and the public to align efforts and avoid duplication; and improved access to clear, trustworthy information to empower women and healthcare providers alike.
Women’s health is foundational to a healthy and equitable society. Investing in it benefits not only women but also their families, communities, and the broader economy. The NHS Long Term Plan represents a critical opportunity. To realize the promise of the Women’s Health Strategy, it must be firmly embedded in long-term planning, backed by clear and measurable targets.
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