According to Nigina Muntean, the head of the innovation division at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Germany still has a substantial gap in healthcare for women. In a series of articles for the Funke Media Group, Muntean highlighted structural shortfalls in research, diagnostics and medical innovation. The debate gained new momentum when federal research minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) referred to Germany as a “developing country” in terms of women’s health-a remark Muntean described as provocative but that draws attention to a real problem. “All countries are development nations when it comes to women’s health” she said.
On average, women spend nine years of their lives in poorer health than men. Muntean explains that the gender‑health gap also has economic consequences. Late detection or inadequate treatment of diseases in women leads to longer illness periods, more days missed from work and lower productivity. “For the economy, the gender‑health gap is thus toxic” she warned.
To address the problem, Muntean calls for three key steps in Germany:
1. Systematic collection of health data disaggregated by sex.
2. Significantly increased investment in research focused on women’s health.
3. Stronger promotion of innovation in this field.
“If we can bring these three elements together, I am confident that we can see tangible progress in a relatively short time” she concluded.
