Jack Health Blog
May 28th, 2025 By Nigel Downer
Today is International Day of Action for Women’s Health, a moment to recognize that the health of women isn’t only a “women’s issue,” but an intensely human one. I may not know firsthand what it means to navigate our healthcare system as a woman, but the reality is that I don’t have to experience it to care about it. The women in my life – my wife, mother, family, colleagues, and friends – are important to me; their health, well-being, and voices matter deeply.
Women’s health has a profound effect on our families, workplaces, and communities. And yet, their well-being continues to be overlooked, underfunded, and misunderstood.
Where Women’s Health Stands in 2025
Let’s be honest: the state of women’s health today is not where it should be.
- Women are diagnosed later than men for more than 7,000 diseases. That’s not a typo. (Source: Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research)
- Maternal mortality nearly doubled in the U.S. between 2018 and 2022. (Source: Commonwealth Fund)
- Gynecological conditions, like endometriosis and uterine fibroids—which affect up to 68% of women—have only 33 research assets in the pharmaceutical pipeline. For context, only about 12% of those research assets make it from clinical trials to market approval.
- For decades, women were excluded from clinical trials, limiting our understanding of how disease progresses differently in female bodies. Though participation has improved since the ban was lifted in 1993, women are still significantly underrepresented in trials.
- And here’s a stat that affects us all: closing the women’s health gap could unlock $1 trillion in annual global GDP by 2040. (Source: McKinsey Health Institute)
These aren’t just numbers. They represent missed diagnoses, chronic pain, time off work, emotional stress, and financial strain that men (like me) often don’t face simply because of our gender.
Why It Affects All of Us
You don’t have to experience something personally to advocate for change.
When women’s health is sidelined, it impacts everyone. Families rely on women. Workplaces thrive because of them. Communities are built and held together by them. When they suffer, the ripple effects are enormous.
We need to shift the narrative: women’s health isn’t a “women’s issue.” It’s a human issue.
What You Can Do Today
So, what can we do? A few simple but powerful things:
- Listen more closely to the women around you.
- Educate yourself about the health challenges they face.
- Advocate—whether that’s speaking up, supporting policy changes, or simply starting the conversation.
Learn More and Get Involved
Here are some incredible resources to help you and the women in your life:
- Office on Women’s Health (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) – Comprehensive info on conditions, reproductive health, and policy.
- Mayo Clinic – Women’s Health Center – Evidence-based medical guidance.
- Postpartum Support International (PSI) – Mental health resources for new and expecting mothers.
- The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) – Resources on menopause, perimenopause, and healthy aging.
- The Period Project – Menstrual health advocacy and support.
- Endometriosis Foundation of America – Education, research, and patient support for those with endometriosis.
Let’s make sure women’s health isn’t just acknowledged once a year but prioritized every day.