The CEO and board member of Organon, Kevin Ali, highlights the positive trends in addressing women’s health issues that have been historically underfunded and understudied. He mentions the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and Australia’s federal budget allocation for women’s health as significant steps towards acknowledging and addressing women’s health challenges globally.
Ali emphasizes the impact of women’s health on society from a business perspective, noting that healthier women lead to greater workforce participation and higher productivity. Data suggests that investments in closing the women’s health gap could potentially boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040. Addressing preventable health-related causes is crucial in enabling women to reach their full potential and contribute more effectively to national economies.
He shares key learnings from his recent visits to the U.S. and Asia, where he engaged with women, patients, policymakers, and healthcare providers to understand their health needs. Ali stresses the importance of empowering community-led responses to address the unique health challenges women face and encourages organizations to prioritize customer engagement to identify gaps and direct resources effectively.
In Tokyo, Ali spoke at a women’s health summit where the importance of creating impactful workplace policies that support women’s health needs was discussed. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive fertility benefits, menopause care, and other services that address the diverse needs of employees. Ali calls for business leaders to keep a pulse on employees’ needs through regular feedback sessions to develop programs that genuinely support and empower the workforce.
Ali emphasizes the importance of fostering public and private investment in innovation to accelerate the development and access to innovative solutions for women’s health. He highlights the need for partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem to address the challenges faced in women’s health. By working together, stakeholders from various sectors can collaborate to implement innovative solutions and close the women’s health gap, ensuring that every woman can achieve their health, education, and personal and professional goals.
Overall, Ali calls on the business community to commit to action and help shape a healthier, more equitable future for women worldwide. By following a clear roadmap and collaborating with stakeholders across sectors, businesses can play a vital role in closing the women’s health gap and empowering women to reach their full potential.
