Prescription for Change 2025

Images: Midjourney, Getty Images Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2025 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword Executive summary Introduction: The case for women’s health policy transformation 1 Unlock innovation in women’s health 1.1 Women’s health is underfunded and under-researched 1.2 Success in orphan and paediatric diseases: Incentives drive investment and innovation 1.3 Policy recommendations to unlock innovation in women’s health 2 Expand the inclusion of women in clinical trials 2.1 Women remain under-represented in clinical trials 2.2 Success in paediatrics: Requirements and incentives drive inclusion 2.3 Recent guidelines and initiatives start to focus on inclusion 2.4 Policy recommendations to expand the inclusion of women in clinical trials 3 Enhance disaggregation of clinical trial data 3.1 Policy recommendations to enhance disaggregation of clinical trial data 4 Design clinical trials with women in mind 4.1 Policy recommendations to design clinical trials with women in mind 5 Deepen insights into sex-specific differences 5.1 Policy recommendations to deepen insights into sex-specific differences Conclusion Contributors Acknowledgements Endnotes3 4 6 9 9 10 10 12 12 13 13 14 16 16 18 18 20 20 22 23 23 25 Prescription for Change: Policy Recommendations for Women’s Health Research 2