The WHAM Report: Women’s Health as a Catalyst for Sustainable Healthcare Growth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE WHAM REPORT: WOMEN’S HEALTH AS A CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE GROWTH
A Data-Driven Framework for Capital Allocation, Innovation, and Long-Term Value
GREENWICH, Conn. (Jan 12, 2026) —
Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM) released today its 2026 WHAM Investment Report, The Business Case for Accelerating Women’s Health Investment, at the 44th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.
The 2026 edition delivers a comprehensive update to WHAM’s landmark analysis, released January 2025, to further strengthen the economic case, investment opportunity, and innovation landscape for the health of women, 51% of the population. The report shares and expands on the definition of women’s health beyond reproductive care to include conditions that affect women exclusively, differently, and disproportionately, revealing a substantially larger and underrecognized market opportunity.
“Investing in women’s health is no longer a future-tense opportunity—it is a present-day market reality,” said Carolee Lee, Founder and CEO of WHAM and a TIME100 Global Health Leader. “The 2026 WHAM Investment Report makes clear that women’s health sits at the intersection of scientific progress, unmet demand, and compelling economics. Those who act now—across investment, research, and industry—will help shape the next era of healthcare innovation and precision medicine while capturing durable, long-term value.”
This year’s report features:
- Updated market and economic data reinforcing women’s health as a high-growth, high-return investment category in precision medicine
- Six in-depth case studies spanning conditions that affect women exclusively, differently, and disproportionately—demonstrating real-world commercial traction and successful exits
- Myth-busting analysis that addresses persistent misconceptions limiting capital allocation
- A forward-looking ecosystem roadmap outlining clear, actionable steps for investors, life sciences companies, researchers, clinicians, health systems, and policymakers
- A call to action for 2026 and beyond, aligning capital, research, and innovation to unlock long-term value and economic growth
“We are at a true inflection point,” said Janet Foutty, Former Chair Deloitte, WHAM Senior Advisor. “The science has matured, the market demand is undeniable, and the economic case is now rigorously quantified. The question for leaders is no longer whether to invest in women’s health—but whether they are prepared to lead as this market rapidly takes shape.”
The report, produced in collaboration with the KPMG Foundation and KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm, underscores that women drive the majority of healthcare decision-making and spending, yet conditions that affect women remain chronically undercapitalized relative to their prevalence, cost, and commercial potential. By translating complex data across research, clinical care, and capital markets into clear insights, WHAM aims to equip decision-makers with the evidence needed to allocate capital more strategically and effectively.
Read the Full Report
The 2026 WHAM Investment Report is available now. To access the report and learn more about WHAM’s initiatives, visit whamnow.org.
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About WHAM
Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM) is a data-driven nonprofit organization leading the transformation in redefining women’s health while forging critical partnerships across public, private, and research sectors. Through its groundbreaking research, reports and innovative initiatives, WHAM is building the business case for investing in women’s health in this historically underfunded, undervalued space. For more information, visit whamnow.org.
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