Global Health Connector Event: Transforming Women’s Health through Science and Sustainable Partnerships (I)

This session, convened by ECHAlliance and the Society for Women’s Health Research, explores how science and sustainable partnerships can transform women’s health. It will address persistent gender health gaps, the impact of sociocultural and biological factors, and the need for equitable policies and inclusive healthcare workforces. Speakers will share successful models—from grassroots to global—that improve women’s health outcomes and inform future strategies for research, policy, and care delivery.

Across every region outlined by the World Health Organisation, women generally have longer life expectancies than men. However, women have a shorter health expectancy, equating to more years where their quality of life is reduced due to disease or injury. This trend has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Women experience unique challenges over the course of their lifespans, due to biological sex differences in health and disease, as well as sociocultural influences related to gender. Gender health gaps persist in research investment for conditions that disproportionately affect women, policies that should ensure equitable access to health care and resources, and the development of workforces that train and promote women in health care delivery and leadership.

This session will discuss key developments and opportunities to advance women’s health research, education, and policy. Speakers will present insights on topics including understanding the global burden of disease for women and identifying successful models for translating innovation across borders, promoting workplace equity and support for women, empowering women in community-based care, establishing national priorities and leveraging public-private partnerships to advance women’s health. Attendees will discuss strategies to implement change in their respective jurisdictions and have opportunities to forge collaborations across the women’s health care and policy ecosystem.