Addressing the Gender Health Gap in Europe: A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

Introduction

Women constitute the majority of the population in Europe and globally. Despite this, women’s health remains underfunded, under-researched, and often regarded as a niche issue. This situation is exacerbated by direct threats to women’s health rights in multiple countries within the European Union (EU) and beyond. The EU is urged to demonstrate leadership in addressing this unmet need, leveraging its mandate on research and innovation (R&I) to drive significant advancements aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

The Current State of Women’s Health

1. Health Disparities: Women live longer than men but spend 25% more of their lives in poorer health. Nearly half of the women’s health burden affects women during their working years, impacting their economic independence and family support capabilities.
2. Economic Impact: According to a 2025 report, closing the women’s health gap could benefit 4 billion women worldwide and boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
3. Human Rights and Equity: Improving women’s health is fundamentally a matter of human rights, health equity, and inclusivity, reinforcing commitments under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Challenges in Biomedical Research

• Sex and gender differences significantly influence health outcomes but are often overlooked in biomedical research, where male physiology is the default.
• This oversight results in diagnostic delays and inadequate treatment for women, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive research approaches.
• Bridging the R&I gap is essential to closing the gender health gap and achieving SDG 3 targets.

Strategic Actions for the EU

To address these challenges, the following strategic actions are proposed:

1. Establish a Representative Expert Group: Create an EU-level expert group on women’s health R&I to develop a comprehensive research agenda, consolidate evidence, identify gaps, and foster collaboration among the EU, Member States, and international partners.
2. Increase Funding for Women’s Health Research: Prioritize funding for conditions exclusively affecting women, which currently receive only 7% of healthcare research funding, thereby supporting SDG 3 and SDG 5.
3. Integrate Gender-Sensitive Approaches in Horizon Europe: Ensure that gender-sensitive medical research, clinical trials, diagnostics, and treatments are embedded in the remaining Horizon Europe programming and future Research Framework Programmes (FP10).
4. Promote Global Health Equity: Align R&I efforts with the EU’s global health strategy to address the needs of women in low- and middle-income countries, advancing SDG 3 and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Neglected Areas in Women’s Health Research

• Sexual and reproductive health R&I, although relatively focused on women, still neglects critical issues such as gynaecological and maternal health conditions including post-partum haemorrhage.
• Funding decreases as research topics move away from conditions affecting men, underscoring the need for targeted investment in women-exclusive health issues.

EU’s Commitment and Leadership

On International Women’s Day, the European Commission published the Roadmap for Women’s Rights, marking the strongest commitment to date to place health as a core principle of its gender equality agenda. This roadmap emphasizes:

• Gender-sensitive medical research and clinical trials.
• Development of diagnostics and treatments tailored to women’s needs.
• Internal-external policy coherence to support women’s health globally.

The upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Research Framework Programme (FP10) present opportunities for the EU to significantly increase funding for women’s health R&I, reinforcing its role as a global leader in sustainable development and gender equality.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

In a global context where science, health, and women’s rights face unprecedented challenges, the EU has the opportunity to uphold its founding values and become a safe harbour for women in science and science for women. Members of the European Parliament and women’s health advocates continue to champion efforts to close the gender health gap.

The #ChooseEurope campaign symbolizes this commitment, calling for inclusive science that benefits all. By investing in women’s health research and innovation, the EU can contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.

Article published with the support of DSW.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses extensively on women’s health, addressing health equity, research gaps, and the need for gender-sensitive medical research.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Emphasizes the importance of addressing women’s health as a fundamental principle of gender equality and human rights.
   • Calls for the EU’s leadership in supporting women globally and closing the gender health gap.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Highlights the role of research and innovation (R&I) in advancing women’s health and closing knowledge gaps.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Discusses health inequities faced by women, particularly in research funding and healthcare systems.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Mentions fostering collaboration between the EU, Member States, and international actors to drive investment in women’s health R&I.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services.
   • Target 3.b: Support research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
   • Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities and encourage innovation.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of gender.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Target 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to Women’s Health Research and Funding
   • Percentage of healthcare research funding allocated to conditions exclusively affecting women (e.g., the article notes only 7% of healthcare research focuses on such conditions).
   • Number of gender-sensitive clinical trials and medical research projects funded and conducted.
   • Diagnostic delay duration for women’s health conditions, measuring improvements in timely diagnosis.
2. Indicators Related to Health Outcomes and Equity
   • Prevalence and burden of women-specific health conditions (e.g., gynaecological and maternal health issues such as post-partum hemorrhage).
   • Life expectancy and healthy life years for women compared to men (noting women spend 25% more of their lives in poorer health).
   • Access to sexual and reproductive health services globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
3. Indicators Related to Policy and Investment
   • Funding levels for women’s health R&I in EU research frameworks (e.g., Horizon Europe, FP10).
   • Establishment and activity of expert groups on women’s health R&I at the EU level.
   • Implementation of gender-sensitive policies in health research and innovation programs.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theparliamentmagazine.eu