Despite overall global health progress, women’s health remains underresearched, underfunded and underprioritized. Currently, women spend 25 percent more time in poor health than men, and more than a third of this health gap stems from disparities in care delivery. The consequences are life threatening, as 712 women die every day from pregnancy and childbirth complications. These gaps in women’s healthcare are not only a denial of rights, but they compound the burdens on health systems and diminish women’s income and productivity with a ripple effect across economies. Closing the women’s health gap could unlock 1 trillion dollars in global gross domestic product annually by 2040, yet only 7 percent of healthcare research and innovation focuses on women's conditions.

As the world observes World Health Day on 7 April 2026, under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science,” the global community must act to end underinvestment that leaves women with poorer health outcomes, affecting global progress and gender equality.

Health Achievements and Challenges in Türkiye

While safety nets cover for the vast majority of the people in Türkiye, satisfaction in these services is low, and quality of health services are lagging behind OECD levels. A recent OECD report indicates that 99 percent of the population is covered for a core set of services. In comparison, only 41 percent of people are satisfied with the availability of quality healthcare in Türkiye. Preventable mortality was 168 per 100 000 in the country (higher than the OECD average of 145); with treatable mortality at 119 per 100 000 (higher than the OECD average of 77). 7.1% of people in the country rated their health as bad or very bad (OECD average 8.0%). 

There is a need for further investment in health in the country, as it spends $2,300 per capita on health, which is about 5 percent of its GDP, significantly less than the OECD average of 9.3 percent. Türkiye has significantly fewer nurses per doctor compared to OECD averages. There are currently 2.4 practicing doctors and 2.9 practicing nurses per 1000 population, whereas the OECD average is roughly 2.4 nurses for every doctor.

The global gender gap in health draws parallel in Türkiye as well, as the care for women’s specific conditions, and healthy life expectancy have room for development. According to TURKSTAT, women can expect to live 80.7 years, compared to 75.5 years for men. Despite a longer lifespan, women’s healthy life expectancy is only 56.3 years, while men enjoy 58.9 healthy years.

The maternal mortality rate in Türkiye stands at 11.5 per 100,000 live births (2024), compared to the European Union average of 6.0 (2020). According to OECD, 37% of women in Türkiye were screened for breast cancer, less than the OECD average of 55% (OECD, 2025).

If left unaddressed, these gaps in women’s healthcare that are defined as violations of fundamental rights, pose risk to exacerbate the strain on health systems and undermine the country’s economy through cascading ripple effects, drawing a parallel with the broader global challenge. Strengthening primary care, the midwifery workforce, and digital screening services is essential to improving health outcomes and unlocking the nation’s socioeconomic potential.

Science and Innovation as the Path Forward

Science-led innovation is a primary tool for advancing sexual and reproductive health. Current advancements include:

• Integrated Care: Point-of-care diagnostics allow health workers to combine maternal care and infection testing into a single, efficient visit.
• Digital Technologies: Improved inventory tracking and tools for ultrasounds and cervical cancer screening increase quality in underserved areas.
• Empowerment: Personally administered contraceptives and telemedicine apps provide confidential education and increase women's agency over their own health.

In Türkiye, while e-Nabız and telemedicine are expanding access, bridging the digital literacy gap, particularly for the aging population, remains critical for equitable care.

Closing the Gap for a Healthier Future

It’s time to turn scientific breakthroughs into better health for all women. Practical measures such as increasing dedicated funding for women's health research, adopting supportive regulations, and investing in regional manufacturing can directly improve access to essential technologies. These actions will help close gender gaps in research, investment, and access, leading to tangible improvements in health outcomes and equity. 

Prioritizing these solutions ensures innovation reaches those most in need, saving lives and strengthening the economy. The cost of inaction is no longer acceptable.