Neurologist reviews a MRI Scan of woman’s brain to diagnosis and treat her.
Despite recent increases in awareness and funding, women’s healthcare remains dramatically underserved, with research and investment lagging far behind the needs of more than half the population. This presents not just a health crisis but a massive economic opportunity. From closing the research gap in heart disease to harnessing the potential of AI for diagnostics, the future of women’s healthcare demands collaboration between policymakers, investors, and employers to unlock innovation and deliver returns for society and the bottom line.
With key initiatives gaining momentum and a growing understanding of the stakes, 2025 is poised to be a transformational year for women’s healthcare.
Women’s Healthcare: Investment Opportunity Knocks
Women have unique health needs, not only because some conditions exclusively affect them but also … [+]
Women’s health is experiencing unprecedented attention, driven by increased awareness, research funding, and private investment. As Carolee Lee, CEO and founder of WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters), points out, “We’re 52% of the population, but we’ve [VCs] only invested 2%.” The Biden administration has played a significant role, allocating a billion dollars to women’s healthcare research.
Despite the progress, significant research disparities persist. Shockingly, only 4% of research funding is allocated to heart disease in women, the number one killer of women. Sixty million women live with heart disease. This disparity is not only a health crisis but also an economic one. Investing in women’s healthcare research yields substantial economic benefits. “If you double that small number [$350 million], you get a return of $14 billion to the economy,” Lee emphasizes.
Menopause, projected to be $18.56 billion market in 2025 and a significant life transition for women, is finally receiving the attention it deserves. The increased conversation and research in this area are crucial for improving women’s quality of life during and after menopause.
Autoimmune conditions, a $5.3 billion market in 2023, disproportionately affect women, yet the underlying reasons remain largely unknown. “We know that 80% of autoimmune patients are women,” explains Kathryn Schubert, president and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research, in an interview with MedCity. “If you look at something like lupus in particular, that’s a much higher rate for women of color.” Addressing this research gap is critical for developing effective treatments and improving the lives of millions of women.
The Role Of Government Policy In Women’s Healthcare
Just four diseases alone that disproportionately or differently impact women cost the U.S. nearly $1 … [+]
Investing in women’s healthcare innovation isn’t just an investment opportunity. It’s about cost saving, too. Just four diseases alone that disproportionately or differently impact women—lung cancer, Alzheimer’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and cardiovascular disease—cost the U.S. nearly $1 trillion, highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in women’s health research and care.
With the new administration, the focus is expected to shift towards the Department of Defense, potentially benefiting military women’s healthcare. “With the changing of administrations, there will be a shift away from ARPA-H and toward DoD,” suggests Liz Powell, cofounder of the Women’s Health PAC. “I think there will be opportunities to address military service women’s health needs.”
Legislative action remains crucial for ensuring that women’s health remains a priority. Advocacy efforts must align with the priorities of the new administration and Republican leadership to secure continued funding and support for women’s healthcare initiatives. As Powell notes, “We will ensure women’s health is a priority at the legislative level by organizing strategic requests that fit into the legislative priorities of the new Trump Administration and Republican leadership in the 119th Congress.”
Naseem Sayani, VC investor in women’s healthcare and operating partner at How Women Invest, emphasizes the vital role of regulatory and policy changes in fostering a thriving women’s healthcare sector. Specifically, she highlights adjustments to reimbursement codes and streamlined AI regulation as key drivers that can unlock investment and innovation.
Women’s Healthcare: A Call to Action for Investors and Employers
Addressing women’s health challenges requires collaboration among researchers, policymakers, investors, and employers. Lee stresses the importance of data, policy, and private investment.
Private investment is critical for fueling innovation in women’s healthcare. The venture community plays a significant role, and efforts to attract more funding to this sector are gaining momentum. “For so long, women’s health was seen as a niche market and a special investment for venture capital,” Schubert observes.
While venture capital investment in women’s healthcare has experienced a downturn since its peak in 2021, the slight uptick from 2023 to 2024 and market conditions suggest an investment acceleration has begun. VC investors are optimistic, anticipating a resurgence in funding throughout 2025.
Instead of hindering investment, regulatory constraints have paradoxically fueled interest and capital flow into the women’s healthcare sector. This is evidenced by the rise of dedicated funds, demonstrating a focused commitment, and the emergence of unicorn success stories like Maven, which may even IPO this year, validating both market opportunity and impact potential.
WHAM’s High-Impact Investment Collaborative is a groundbreaking initiative to increase women’s healthcare innovation investment significantly. Recognizing the vast untapped potential of the women’s healthcare market, WHAM is bringing together leading multi-billion-dollar investment funds, such as Insight Partners, L Catterton, Lightstone Ventures, Northpond Ventures, RA Capital Management, and UPMC Enterprises. The initiative is designed to drive innovation and accelerate the development of new diagnostics, treatments, and preventative measures for women’s health issues.
The collaborative aims to double venture capital investment in women-led companies by 2026, increase investor awareness, and publish influential reports to track progress and drive further investment. Ultimately, the WHAM Investment Collaborative is poised to transform the landscape of women’s healthcare by fueling innovation and ensuring that this critical sector receives the attention and funding it deserves.
Employers also play a crucial role in supporting women’s healthcare across their lifespan. This includes not only providing benefits that support fertility and motherhood but also recognizing the impact of menopause on women’s well-being and productivity. As Kathryn Schubert points out, “If we were to invest a little bit more on those sides of things, you probably would have better productivity.” By investing in women’s healthcare, employers are demonstrating a commitment to their employees’ well-being and contributing to a more productive and engaged workforce.
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), has the potential to revolutionize women’s healthcare. AI can improve diagnostics, treatment, and access to care, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
The landscape of women’s healthcare is transforming, but challenges remain. Research disparities must be addressed, and legislative action is needed to ensure continued support. Collaboration among stakeholders and technology integration will be key to realizing the full potential of this new era in women’s healthcare.
