From Neglect to Nuance: Bridging the Gaps in Women's Health and Wellness

For too long, women’s health has been marginalized, misunderstood, and underfunded. Despite women comprising over half the global population, healthcare systems, and research institutions have often treated their unique needs as secondary or niche. This historical neglect is not merely inequitable—it is inefficient and unsustainable, with profound social and economic consequences. A 2024 report from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute revealed that closing the women’s health gap could boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2024.¹ Yet only 5% of global research and development funding in 2020 was allocated to women’s health, with a mere 1% focused on non-cancer-related conditions. These figures highlight a failure to address fundamental health inequities and a glaring oversight in realizing the economic potential of equitable healthcare. 

As a board-certified plastic surgeon and fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), I have spent my career addressing the health and wellness needs of women. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of inclusive, patient-centered approaches. These solutions should not be exceptions to the rule—they must become the standard of care. Achieving this vision requires addressing systemic shortcomings in research, funding, and cultural attitudes toward women’s health.

A SYSTEMIC FAILURE TO PRIORITIZE WOMEN’S HEALTH

Women’s exclusion from clinical research has been a defining feature of healthcare inequity. For decades, women were deemed too “complex” for trials due to hormonal fluctuations that could “skew” results. The consequences of this exclusion are staggering. A 2020 study identified 86 drugs with significant differences in how men and women metabolize them, yet dosages remain based on male physiology. Women experience adverse drug reactions at nearly double the rate of men because their needs were never adequately studied. Even today, nearly double the rate of men because their needs were never adequately studied. Even today, only 10.8% of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding is allocated to women’s research.² This lack of investment perpetuates a cycle of inadequate data, limited treatment options, and misdiagnoses that affect millions of women annually. 

The cultural stigmas surrounding women’s health further exacerbate these issues. Conditions such as menopause, endometriosis, and even chronic pain are frequently dismissed or trivialized, leaving women without the resources or support their need. Historically labeled as “hysteria,” women’s symptoms have been brushed aside as emotional rather than physiological. This cultural bias continues to undermine trust in healthcare systems and discourage women from seeking the care they deserve.

THE ROLE OF PLASTIC SURGERY IN WOMEN’S HEALTH

Plastic surgery, often misunderstood as purely cosmetic, plays a critical role in addressing both aesthetic and reconstructive needs. For patients recovering from breast cancer, reconstructive surgery offers more than a physical restoration—it is a vital step toward reclaiming confidence and agency. Similarly, treatments that address skin health during menopause consider hormonal changes that affect elasticity, healing, and overall well-being. These interventions demonstrate how plastic surgery can serve as both a medical and emotional lifeline for women navigating life-altering transitions.

The 2023 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report reflects the growing demand for these services.³ Reconstructive surgeries, particularly breast reconstruction following mastectomies, continue to rise, underscoring the importance of accessible care for survivors of illness. Meanwhile, advancements in minimally invasive procedures, such as neuromodulators and skin-tightening technologies, have democratized aesthetic medicine, offering solutions that are both effective and approachable. These treatments go beyond vanity; they address self-image, mental health, and quality of life, creating pathways for women to prioritize themselves in ways society has historically discouraged.

Yet, even in this field, disparities persist. Women in plastic surgery face significant barriers, from implicit bias to unequal pay and limited representation in leadership roles. While women now comprise 47% of plastic surgery residents, only 19% of practicing plastic surgeons are women.⁴ This lack of diversity not only limits innovation but also deprives patients of the empathetic care that often comes from shared experiences. A more inclusive healthcare workforce is essential for delivering equitable care and addressing the unique needs of diverse patient populations.

THE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPERATIVE FOR CHANGE

The neglect of women’s health has far-reaching economic implications. Conditions such as menopause and endometriosis cost billions annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. For example, menopause-related symptoms often force women to leave the workforce prematurely, depriving industries of experienced talent and driving up costs for employers. Similarly, the mismanagement of chronic conditions such as autoimmune diseases results in prolonged treatments and avoidable hospitalizations, straining healthcare systems and families alike.

Investing in women’s health is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic strategy. A report from the McKinsey Health Institute revealed that sex-disaggregated results are available for only half of medical interventions, limiting the effectiveness of treatments for millions of women.⁵ Closing this research gap would improve outcomes and unlock economic potential by enabling women to lead healthier, more productive lives. What’s more, emerging industries such as FemTech, which focuses on women-centered healthcare innovations, demonstrate the untapped potential of this market. With the right investments, FemTech could revolutionize everything from reproductive health to chronic disease management, creating a more equitable healthcare landscape.⁶

However, more than funding is needed. We need a cultural shift that reframes women’s health as a universal priority rather than a special interest. This requires dismantling stigmas, increasing transparency in funding distribution, and elevating women into leadership roles across healthcare and research institutions. Studies show that when women lead clinical trials, female participation increases, resulting in more inclusive and impactful findings.⁷ Similarly, organizations such as the Gates Foundation’s Women’s Health Innovations team and FemTech pioneers are demonstrating how targeted investments can bridge longstanding gaps in care.

A VISION FOR EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT

The future of women’s health depends on systemic transformation. We must prioritize comprehensive care that addresses women’s unique biological, emotional, and social needs across their lifespans. This means expanding research to include conditions that disproportionately affect women, integrating wellness into primary care, and fostering a healthcare workforce that reflects the diversity of its patients.

As a plastic surgeon, I am proud to advocate for these changes and to help women achieve health and confidence at every stage of life. However, the responsibility extends far beyond individual providers. Healthcare systems, policymakers, and communities must work together to demand better. Women’s health is not a luxury—it is a human right, a societal foundation, and a pathway to a more equitable and prosperous world. By investing in women, we invest in the future of us all.

1. Ellingrud K, Pérez L, Petersen A, Sartori V. Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies. McKinsey & Company. January 17, 2024. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies. 

2. Temkin SM, Noursi S, Regensteiner JG, Stratton P, Clayton JA. Perspectives From Advancing National Institutes of Health Research to Inform and Improve the Health of Women: A Conference Summary. Obstet Gynecol. 2022;140(1):10-19. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004821 

3. 2023 plastic surgery statistics report. September 26, 2023. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf.

4. Caan N. Achieving gender parity: Women’s role in plastic surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. March 26, 2024. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/achieving-gender-parity-womens-role-in-plastic-surgery#:~:text=Most%20plastic%20surgeons%20are%20men%2C,plastic%20surgery%20residents%20were%20women.

5. Closing the women’s health gap to improve lives and economies. World Economic Forum. January 17, 2024. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://www.weforum.org/publications/closing-the-women-s-health-gap-a-1-trillion-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies/.   

6. Kwok B. Femtech: Transforming Women’s Health . APCO. October 25, 2024. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://apcoworldwide.com/blog/femtech-transforming-womens-health/#:~:text=Enter%20FemTech%2C%20short%20for%20female,take%20control%20of%20their%20health.

7. Mueller A. Why more women should lead clinical trials. Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. March 24, 2023. Accessed June 26, 2025. https://med.stanford.edu/cvi/mission/news_center/articles_announcements/2023/why-more-women-should-lead-clinical-trials.html#:~:text=The%20team%20found%20that%20when,led%20by%20men%20enrolled%20women.

Dr. Diane Alexander, MD, FACS

- Co-founder Artisan Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia.