The author of this article argues why women’s health is a wealth management imperative.

This publication has looked at the intersection of health and wealth, in this article for example, from Maryann Umoren Selfe, investment solutions, at Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (Suisse) SA. Maryann is, among other things, a member of this news service’s editorial board. This article touches on how women’s health is also an important wealth management topic. The editors concur and it is fitting to share these ideas ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March. The usual editorial disclaimers apply to views of guest writers. Email tom.burroughes@wealthbriefing.com and amanda.cheesley@clearviewpublishing.com if you have comments. 

A quiet revolution is underway in the world of wealth management. For decades, the conversation around sustainable investing has been dominated by climate change, governance reforms, and corporate diversity. But now, an overlooked and deeply consequential issue is emerging as the next frontier: women’s health.

This shift is not happening in a vacuum. At the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Arab Health Conference this January, global leaders underscored the economic and social imperative of improving women’s health outcomes. For wealth managers, the message is clear: investing in women’s health is not only a compelling social cause but also a strategic opportunity to enhance ESG portfolios, deliver long-term returns, and offer meaningful impact for clients and their families.

The social and economic case for women’s health investments
Investing in women’s health is more than a moral imperative – it is a macroeconomic necessity. Research consistently shows that when women’s health improves, the economic ripple effects extend far beyond individual wellbeing. A healthier female workforce leads to higher productivity, stronger GDP growth, and improved outcomes for future generations.

Take maternal health for example. According to the McKinsey Health Institute, closing the gender health gap could add up to $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040 (1). For investors, this presents a unique opportunity: aligning capital with an issue that is not only socially urgent but also financially material.

Wealth managers can integrate this into client portfolios by supporting companies at the forefront of women’s health innovation. Consider the rise of femtech – a sector projected to reach $60 billion by 2027 (2). Femtech companies are redefining how reproductive and maternal healthcare is delivered through digital solutions. Investors who recognised this trend early have observed positive market developments, indicating that women’s health is not a niche cause but an investment thesis with growth potential.

Women as investors: The rising demand for health-driven wealth strategies
The growing emphasis on women’s health is not just about the issues – it’s also about the investors themselves. Women control an increasing share of private wealth (3), and their investment preferences are markedly different from those of previous generations.

A 2022 UBS report found that 79 per cent of women believe it's important that their investments make a positive impact (4). Health and wellbeing rank among their top concerns, yet wealth managers have been slow to tailor their offerings accordingly. The result? A widening gap between what female investors want and what traditional wealth services provide.

Family offices and wealth advisors should take note. The demand for impact-driven financial strategies is not a passing trend but a structural shift. Forward-thinking firms are already responding by developing thematic investment portfolios centered on healthcare equity, funding research into female-specific conditions, and incorporating gender-lens strategies into ESG frameworks.

One example is the Women’s Health Innovation Fund, which has secured backing from private investors and family offices seeking to accelerate solutions in fertility, menopause, and chronic disease management. These investors are not sacrificing returns – they are accessing a high-growth market while aligning capital with their convictions and participating in a market with significant growth potential.

Philanthropy as a catalyst: Structuring giving for maximum impact
Beyond traditional investments, wealth managers have a powerful lever to drive change: philanthropic structuring. The misconception that philanthropy and financial returns must operate separately is fading, giving rise to innovative vehicles that blend giving with strategic impact.

Take donor-advised funds (DAFs), which allow families to allocate capital towards women’s health while maintaining investment flexibility. Fidelity Charitable reported that in 2023, DAF grants to healthcare initiatives grew by 24 per cent, reflecting a broader shift towards mission-driven giving. Similarly, private foundations are increasingly directing capital into gender-focused health initiatives, from funding clinical trials for female-specific conditions to supporting access to reproductive healthcare in underserved regions.

One example of this approach is the Tara Health Foundation, which deploys capital to improve maternal health and reproductive rights while integrating impact investing into its endowment strategy. Such models allow wealth managers to engage clients in conversations that transcend traditional philanthropy, positioning them as architects of long-term social and financial value.

ESG Integration: Avoiding the pitfalls of box-ticking
For ESG-conscious investors, women’s health presents a natural fit within the “S” of ESG – but execution matters. Too often, ESG strategies devolve into a box-ticking exercise, prioritising vague metrics over substantive impact.

To avoid this pitfall, wealth managers must push beyond surface-level commitments. One approach is to integrate gender-disaggregated health data into due diligence processes, ensuring investments genuinely contribute to better outcomes. Firms like Equileap have pioneered methodologies for evaluating gender impact, offering a blueprint for investors who want to go beyond rhetoric.

Another critical step is shareholder engagement. Large institutional investors increasingly use their influence to push companies towards better gender-specific health policies. BlackRock, for instance, has signalled that workplace healthcare provisions – especially for women – will be a growing factor in its stewardship activities. This shift underscores a key point: investors are no longer passive participants; they are active drivers of corporate responsibility in health equity.

The future: A paradigm shift in wealth management
Women’s health is no longer a side issue – it is a core pillar of wealth management’s future. As wealth holders demand more purpose-driven investment strategies, and as data continues to affirm the economic value of gender-inclusive healthcare, the pressure on wealth managers to evolve will only grow.

The firms that recognise this shift early – by integrating women’s health into ESG strategies, leveraging philanthropy for systemic impact, and catering to the rising influence of female investors – will not only serve their clients better but will also be on the right side of history.

The question is no longer whether wealth managers should engage with women’s health, but how soon they will act.

References

(1,2) https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies

(3) https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/women-as-the-next-wave-of-growth-in-us-wealth-management

(4) UBS's 2022 "Own Your Worth" report

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views or positions of any institution, organisation, or entity with which the author is affiliated.  This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, financial advice, or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment strategy. 

All data and figures cited are based on publicly available information.