Why Women’s Health Innovation Matters
Despite comprising over half the global population, women’s health remains one of the most underfunded and under-researched areas in medicine and public health. From reproductive health to aging, autoimmune diseases to mental health, and the gendered dimensions of technology and AI—there is an urgent need to invest in solutions that reflect the realities and priorities of women around the world.
But to chart a path forward, we must first ask: What are the key questions that, if answered, could drive real progress in women’s health innovation?
A New Initiative to Define the Questions That Matter Most
To address this need, The GovLab and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), with support from the Gates Foundation, are proud to launch the Women’s Health Innovation domain of the 100 Questions Initiative.
This effort seeks to identify the most pressing, data-actionable questions that—if answered—can unlock advances in women’s health innovation. The initiative is part of The GovLab’s broader mission to create a New Science of Questions, reshaping how we prioritize knowledge in a time of rapid technological and societal transformation.
The work builds on existing efforts such as the Women’s Health Innovation Opportunity Map and will directly inform EU funding and policy priorities for women’s health innovation.
What This Domain Will Do
Through a participatory and evidence-based methodology, we will:
- Map the Field of women’s health innovation
- Engage “Bilinguals”—experts in both women’s health and data science or innovation;
- Source and cluster questions from the pool of bilinguals
- Prioritize a Top 10 List through expert input and public voting
- Host a Workshop to turn questions into actionable recommendations
Why Questions? Why Now?
In a world awash with data, the key to progress is not just information—but the right questions. Questions that are rooted in lived experiences, grounded in evidence, and capable of driving systemic change. The 100 Questions Initiative has demonstrated the power of this approach in domains from urban mobility to air quality, influencing real-world policies and investments.
Get Involved
Are you a researcher, policymaker, innovator, or advocate passionate about women’s health? Join us in shaping the future of women’s health innovation by ensuring the right questions get asked—and answered.
To learn more or express your interest, reach out to: [email protected]
Learn more about our work on health: EU R&I and Health Policy to Tackle Global Challenges
