More concerning is cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, which often goes unrecognized. While women do receive cardiac care, they face a 20per cent higher risk of complications than men, with their symptoms frequently misdiagnosed. Heart attack diagnosis is also missed in women more often than in men.

Women may outlive men, but those extra years often come at a cost—an average of nine years may be spent in poor health. This reality doesn’t just diminish quality of life; it also undermines economic potential and limits their ability to contribute fully to society.

Adding to this challenge, the rise in lifestyle diseases paints a troubling picture for women’s health. Studies show that 12per cent of Indian women battle disorders like diabetes, obesity, or thyroid conditions—fueled by sedentary lifestyles, changing food habits, and high stress levels.

More concerning is cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, which often goes unrecognized. While women do receive cardiac care, they face a 20 per cent higher risk of complications than men, with their symptoms frequently misdiagnosed. Heart attack diagnosis is also missed in women more often than in men.

As we approach International Women’s Day 2025 with its call to #AccelerateAction, closing these health gaps becomes not just a medical necessity, but a societal imperative as well.

Case for Holistic Approach

The intersection of societal pressures and biological realities creates a complex health landscape for women. Juggling multiple roles—caregiver, professional, household manager, all the while navigating hormonal shifts, amplifies health risks. This peaks during women’s prime years, between ages 15 and 50, when nearly half of their health challenges emerge, directly impacting their ability to earn and support families.

Such multifaceted challenges require more than isolated treatments—they demand an integrated approach that combines immediate intervention with long-term prevention. Equipping healthcare providers with the right knowledge to recognize women’s distinct symptoms and curate treatment responses would be a step forward in this direction. The results from this approach can be transformative: reduced hospitalizations, better health outcomes, and enhanced quality of life.

The other aspect to consider is workplaces, which could be more supportive – offering flexible hours, on-site wellness programs, and accessible mental health resources that help women balance personal and professional demands. Alongside these workplace reforms, technology plays an important role in transforming how women manage their health. Digital platforms, from cycle-tracking apps to virtual therapy services are making personalized health management more accessible than ever, while community support systems and preventive care programs create a comprehensive safety net for women’s health.

The path forward lies in personalized care that considers every aspect of a woman’s health—from reproductive and cardiovascular fitness to mental well-being, from bone density to hormonal balance—creating a truly holistic approach to women’s health.

The ripple effects of closing the gender health gap extend far beyond individual well-being. By 2040, addressing these disparities could inject $1 trillion into the global economy. The good news is that we know what we must do. Adopting a three-pronged approach: commitment to inclusive healthcare research, building and strengthening of community support systems, and equipping healthcare providers to tune into women’s unique health challenges, will allow us to break barriers to equitable care, putting us on track to creating comprehensive women’s healthcare programs.

This op-ed was first published in the ET Pharma on March 8, 2025