United Nations Population Fund Executive Director Diene Keita on Monday urged global action to ensure scientific innovations translate into equitable health outcomes, particularly for women and marginalized communities, marking World Health Day.
In a statement, Keita said UNFPA stands with the international community “in standing with science for a healthier future,” emphasizing that evidence-based innovation can bridge access gaps and expand choices for people worldwide.
She highlighted that science-led advancements are already delivering tangible benefits, especially in remote and underserved areas. Mobile diagnostics now allow health workers to provide a wide range of services in a single visit, while portable ultrasound devices and cervical cancer screenings are extending life-saving care to communities lacking conventional facilities.
Digital platforms, she noted, are offering confidential, stigma-free health information and services to young people and marginalized groups. Meanwhile, self-care innovations — including self-administered injectable contraceptives — are enhancing bodily autonomy for women, girls and vulnerable populations.
“These are not just conveniences, but essential lifelines,” the statement said.
Despite the progress, Keita warned that too many women remain excluded from the benefits of scientific advancement. She pointed out that only 7 percent of global health research focuses on conditions exclusively affecting women, while women-centric innovations often remain costly or inaccessible.
The consequences are stark: women spend 25 percent more time in poor health than men and fare worse across most health indicators. Each year, an estimated 260,000 women die from pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications, nearly all of which are preventable.
The statement also noted that the most marginalized women have seen little to no improvement in health access over time, creating a broader economic and social burden. Unaddressed health issues among half the global population significantly strain societies and economies.
Conversely, closing the women’s health gap could yield major gains, including increased workforce participation, improved educational outcomes and intergenerational benefits, potentially unlocking at least $1 trillion annually by 2040.
Keita called for turning scientific breakthroughs into accessible healthcare through supportive regulations, regional manufacturing to reduce costs, and stronger health systems capable of integrating innovations into routine care. This includes efficient supply chains and well-trained health workforces, alongside prioritizing solutions based on women’s needs.
“As the world transforms amid demographic shifts and other profound changes, let us renew the call for health and progress for all,” she said.
The UNFPA chief stressed the urgency of addressing persistent gaps in health, equity and economics to ensure medical innovations reach the most vulnerable, adding that investing in women’s and girls’ health is key to building a healthier future for all.
