In 2023, a study published in JAMA Medical Journal shocked Americans when it revealed women lived an average of 79.1 years and men lived an average of only 73.2 years. Researchers have been well aware of a life expectancy discrepancy between the genders for a century, but never had the gap been so wide. Why, then, do we keep hearing about gender health inequities for women?
While women live longer, they’re not necessarily living better than men. A 2024 McKinsey report found that women spend 25% more time in poor health, more often affected by chronic pain, depression, and autoimmune diseases. Female-specific ailments, including those related to reproductive systems, have been severely understudied compared to comparable male issues, leaving doctors less able to diagnose or treat them effectively.
In Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Research Center is working to close this gender health gap by funding research that accounts for biological differences between men and women and revisiting studies that once excluded women altogether. Across Mayo’s three campuses, over 1,400 studies are underway to advance women’s health research. For instance, recent Mayo studies have introduced less invasive breast cancer treatments and alternatives to hysterectomies for uterine fibroids, decreasing the risk of treatment for those affected.
Many women’s health issues stem from inadequate care during pregnancy and childbirth—a crisis worsened in rural communities. In 2023, the Humphrey School’s Center on Women, Gender, and Public Policy found rural women lack sufficient obstetric services, as Minnesota’s offerings fall far below the national average, and the problem only seems to be worsening. Forty-two percent of Minnesota counties lack professional birth services, putting women at higher risk for pregnancy and childbirth complications, including death.
Women may live longer, but without quality of life, it isn’t enough. Efforts like those at the Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Research Center and new federal policy initiatives offer hope, yet there’s much work to be done—especially in underserved rural communities where resources are stretched thin. By closing the research gap, investing in maternal health, and ensuring that all women have access to comprehensive care, we can create a health care system where longevity and well-being go hand in hand for everyone.
