Gates Foundation puts $2.5bn into 'ignored' women's health

The Gates Foundation is doubling down on its support for women's health research, pumping $2.5 billion between now and the end of the decade into areas like maternal, menstrual, gynaecological, and sexual health.

The funding will support more than 40 programmes around five healthcare issues that disproportionately affect women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), seeking to offset historically low spending on women's health – which McKinsey & Co has said accounted for just 2% of total R&D dollars in 2021, and just 1% if cancer is excluded.

"Investing in women's health has a lasting impact across generations. It leads to healthier families, stronger economies, and a more just world," said Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation. "Yet, women's health continues to be ignored, underfunded, and sidelined. Too many women still die from preventable causes or live in poor health. That must change. But we can't do it alone."

The programmes fall into the categories of obstetric care and maternal immunisation, maternal health and nutrition, gynaecological and menstrual health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – deemed to be the areas where the most impact can be made in saving and improving lives.

Among the projects is one focusing on the development of a discreet, self-administered contraceptive patch that can protect from pregnancy for six months and could help women whose contraception is affected by male interference, side effect concerns, or lack of access.

Others involve the development of a rapid testing device for STIs, around the size of a drinks can, that can be used in the field and deliver results within one patient visit, and portable, AI-enabled ultrasound equipment that can diagnose conditions like uterine fibroids, breast cancer, or cardiovascular disease.

The cash will also go towards funding research into the vaginal microbiome, first-in-class therapeutics for preeclampsia, and non-hormonal contraception, the Foundation stated.

"This is the largest investment we've ever made in women's health research and development, but it still falls far short of what is needed in a neglected and underfunded area of huge human need and opportunity," said Dr Anita Zaidi, president of the Gates Foundation's gender equality division.

"Women's health is not just a philanthropic cause – it's an investable opportunity with immense potential for scientific breakthroughs that could help millions of women. What's needed is the will to pursue and follow through," she added.

Research shows that every $1 invested in women's health yields $3 in economic growth, and closing the gender health gap could boost the global economy by $1 trillion per year by 2040. Although women generally live longer than men, they spend 25% more of their lives in poor health.

The Foundation's increased commitment comes as international women's health programmes are still counting the cost of the dismantling of USAID, which was one of the largest providers of reproductive health funding worldwide, as well as cuts to US funding for the UN reproductive and sexual health agency UNFPA.