W@LifeSciences: Closing the Gap: Improving Women’s Health as a Driver for Economic Growth & Sustainability

W@LifeSciences invites you to a discussion on the links between women’s health and economic growth and sustainability. 

• Noemi Ricci, Young Women’s Health Group, European Institute for Women’s Health
• Pinuccia Contino, Gender Equality Unity, DG JUST, European Commission
• Elisa Pau, Senior Economist in the Healthcare and Life Sciences, Copenhagen Economics
• Ana Polanco, Advisory Board President, ClosinGap; Vice President EU Governmental & Public Affairs, Merck Healthcare
• Bharati Shivalkar, Consultant Cardiologist, Delta Chirec Hospital; Fellow, European Society of Cardiology
• Alicia Bé, Account Manager, Healthcare and Life Sciences, FIPRA (moderator)

The event, kindly hosted by FIPRA, is open to everyone interested, regardless of gender. 

Advance registration required, first come, first served. More details on the programme will follow. 

More about the event

Systemic gaps in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research leave women chronically underserved an unable to reach their full health potential. This gender health gap has far‑reaching economic consequences. When women face delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, inadequate care, or exclusion from clinical research, the result is lower workforce participation, reduced productivity, and higher long‑term healthcare costs. Closing this gap is not only a matter of fairness: it is a direct investment in Europe’s economic stability and growth.

Strengthening women’s health must therefore be a core pillar of the EU’s gender equality and economic strategies. Ensuring that women can stay healthy boosts labour force participation, enhances productivity, and enables more sustainable social and economic systems. As the EU develops its post‑2026 gender equality agenda, placing women’s health at the centre is essential to building a resilient, inclusive, and economically sustainable Europe.