18 Eye-Opening Facts About Women’s Health (And Why They Matter)

Women are strong, intuitive, and resilient, but we’re also navigating systems that haven’t always centered our needs. These facts aren’t meant to alarm you; they’re here to arm you with knowledge. Because when women know more, we can demand more. Let’s be real, women’s health deserves better. For decades, it’s been sidelined, underfunded, and misunderstood, leaving women to navigate confusing symptoms, dismissed pain, and medical “mysteries” that would never fly if they happened to men. From research gaps to reproductive rights, the data paints a picture that’s… well, troubling. But this isn’t about doom and gloom; it’s about shining a light on the realities so we can demand better care, better science, and better support for every woman, at every stage. Let’s break down 18 facts that prove women’s health still has a long way to go and why talking about it matters more than ever.

Globally, women tend to live longer, but they also spend more years with disability, pain, and disease compared to men. A 2024 McKinsey report found that women spend 25% more time in “poor health” compared to men. (1) Longer life should mean better life, and that starts with care and research designed for women.

• Only 4.5% of coronary artery disease research funding is targeted to women, despite cardiovascular disease being a leading killer. (2)

• Diseases that disproportionately affect women receive less funding than those affecting men.

• Historically, women were excluded from many clinical trials; as of 2019, women accounted for around 40% of participants in trials on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and psychiatric disorders. (3)

In 2024, 130 published women’s health papers (spanning 2014 to 2023) were flagged for data integrity concerns by the same research group. (4) That shakes trust in the evidence base. Quality, transparency, and inclusion matter as much as the research itself.

Roughly 80% of autoimmune patients are women. (5) Hormones, genetics, and immune function all play a role, but much of it remains under-researched.

Women are up to 3 times more likely to die after a serious heart attack than men, in part because their symptoms are often dismissed or misattributed. (6) Even though heart disease is the #1 killer of women, much of its research and awareness remains male‑centric. “It’s probably just stress” shouldn’t be a diagnosis.

About 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the US are considered preventable. (7) Sadly, the incidence of maternal morbidity (“near miss” events) has nearly doubled in the last decade. (8) Every mother deserves consistent, compassionate care before, during, and after birth.

Mental health issues are now one of the leading causes of pregnancy and postpartum-related deaths up to one year after birth. (9) Women are also roughly twice as likely as men to experience depression and anxiety. (10) Getting help is an act of strength, not shame.

Many states still have not adopted extended postpartum coverage (as part of Medicaid) through one year. This matters because more than half of pregnancy‑related deaths occur after 60 days postpartum. (11) But screening rates and support vary state to state. Extending coverage and support through the first year can save lives.

Across stages of life, women’s pain is more likely to be minimized, labeled “emotional,” or dismissed by medical providers. (12) This contributes to diagnostic delays, suffering, and distrust of care. It’s not in your head, and you deserve to be heard.

Endometriosis, PCOS, and other cycle disorders are linked to higher risksof heart disease and stroke. (13) Our hormones aren’t “too complicated,” they’re just under-studied.

About 12% of U.S. women experience infertility. (14) Removing stigma and improving access to care makes all the difference.

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common STI. It’s estimated that 80% of women will contract at least one type in their lifetimes (if unvaccinated). (15) Given that HPV is a major driver of cervical cancer, regular screening and vaccination are simple, lifesaving steps.

One in three women worldwide reports having spent a lot of time in physical pain on a given day. And 1 in 4 women report health problems that interfere with “doing normal activities.” (16) Chronic doesn’t mean invisible; it’s a call for better understanding and better care.

Between the 1990s and 2000s, rates of Class 3 obesity in women more than doubled. (17) Obesity increases risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, joint issues, and more. Health isn’t just about willpower; it’s shaped by hormones, access, and environment.

Economic downturns hit women’s food security especially hard. For example, during COVID‑19, many women faced poor access to nutritious food and rising rates of food insecurity. These nutritional gaps contribute to chronic disease risk, anemia, and poor maternal/infant outcomes. (18) Nutrition is foundational to health and it should never be a privilege.

FemTech (apps for menstrual tracking, fertility, etc.) is booming, but a 2025 analysis of 45 popular apps found extensive privacy and security gaps (problematic permissions, third‑party trackers, weak data policies). (19) Before you track, check who has access to your data.

Women of color, trans women, low-income women, and rural women are groups even more underserved by healthcare systems. (20) Many clinical trials don’t report data by sex and race, making it hard to know whether treatments truly work for everyone. Equity starts with being seen and studied.

Because many women present with “atypical” or less obvious symptoms and because of gender bias in medicine, diagnosis of heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer is often delayed in women. (21) You know your body best - keep pushing for answers.

1. Ask questions. If a doctor dismisses you, ask questions. Ask for more tests. Ask for a second opinion. You’re not being “difficult”, you’re being your own advocate.

2. Track your health. Keep a log of symptoms, changes, cycles, and triggers. Data helps you and your care team spot patterns.

3. Share your story. Family history, reproductive conditions, and lifestyle all matter. Don’t shy away from discussions about heart health, hormones, etc. Talking about your experience helps others find their voice

4. Support change. When you can sign petitions, join awareness campaigns, and support research funders who prioritize women’s health.

5. Stay connected. You deserve a support network, whether online, in your community, or via advocacy organizations. Close friendships and community support improve long-term health… literally.

You’re not overreacting when your pain is dismissed. You’re not “too sensitive” when your symptoms don’t match textbook illustrations. You’re not alone.

But also: you deserve better. Better research, better care, better outcomes, better listening.

That’s why we believe in empowerment through information, advocacy, and community. Because when we all know more, we can demand more.

You’re not “just fine.” You’re powerful, informed, and worthy of care that actually cares.

If you’ve been searching for a women’s health community that feels real, welcoming, and a little bit like home, you’ve found it. Welcome to LegendairyWomen. Join us on Instagram to connect with our growing community of women and on TikTok for a behind-the-scenes look at our Legendairy world and the women bringing it to life. Come be part of the conversation and help us redefine what women’s health looks like…together.

1. McKinsey & Company. 2024. Closing the Women’s Health Gap.

2. The WHAM Report. 2021. The Case To Fund Women’s Health Research: AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIETAL IMPACT ANALYSIS.

3. Sosinsky AZ, et. al.  Enrollment of female participants in United States drug and device phase 1-3 clinical trials between 2016 and 2019. Contemp Clin Trials. 2022 Apr;115:106718

4. Nielsen J, et. al.  Concerns about data integrity across 263 papers by one author.  Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction. Volume 54, Issue 6, June 2025, 102794

5. Society for Women’s Research. 2024.  FACT SHEETS: Autoimmune Disease in Women.

6. World Heart Federation. 2018.  New study: Women more likely to die after a heart attack due to unequal treatment.

7. CDC. Maternal Mortality Prevention. 2024.  Preventing Pregnancy-Related Deaths. 

8. The Commonwealth Fund. 2021.  Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States: A Primer.

9.  Policy for Maternal Mental Health. 2025.  Fact Sheet: Maternal Mental Health.

10. Salk RH, et. al.  Gender differences in depression in representative national samples: Meta-analyses of diagnoses and symptoms. Psychol Bull. 2017 Aug;143(8):783-822. 

11. The Commonwealth Fund. 2024.  Insights into the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis: An International Comparison.

12. eClinicalMedicine.  Gendered pain: a call for recognition and health equity. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Mar 7;69:102558.

13. BMJ Group. 2025.  Common gynaecological disorders linked to raised heart and vascular disease risk.

14. CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. 2017.  Key Statistics from the National Survey of Family Growth.

15. Office on Women’s Health. 2015. Human Papallomavirus (HPV).

16. Gallup. 2024.  Global Study Issues Wake-Up Call for Women's Health.

17. Freedman DS, et. al.  Trends and Correlates of Class 3 Obesity in the United States From 1990 Through 2000. JAMA. 2002;288(14):1758–1761. 

18. Belsey-Priebe M, et. al.  COVID-19's Impact on American Women's Food Insecurity Foreshadows Vulnerabilities to Climate Change. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 26;18(13):6867.

19. The Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy (MCTD). Dr Stefanie Felsberger. 2025.  THE HIGH STAKES OF TRACKING MENSTRUATION. 

20. Lassi ZS, Wade JM, Ameyaw EK.  At the crossroads: Intersectional approaches to women's health equity. Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057251356890.

21. Policy Perspectives. Julia Vanella. 2021.  Data Bias and its Negative Effects on Women’s Health.