A new global report finds improvements in women’s health in recent years, but significant gaps remain across regions and income levels.
The latest Hologic Global Women’s Health Index shows gains in preventive care and safety, while emotional and financial challenges persist.
The report found testing rates for high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer reached their highest levels since tracking began in 2020. In 2024, 39% of women reported being tested for high blood pressure, while diabetes testing rose to 24% and cancer testing to 13%.
However, more than half of women worldwide — about 54% — said they had not been tested for any of those conditions.
Researchers said improvements were concentrated among older women and those in higher-income countries, while rates in low-income nations showed little change.
The report also found 67% of women said they felt safe walking alone at night in 2024, up from 63% the year before. Still, about one-third of women reported feeling unsafe, and men were more likely to report feeling safe in most countries.
Other measures showed ongoing challenges. About 42% of women reported worry and 28% reported sadness, while 37% said they struggled to afford food and 31% had difficulty affording housing.
The overall global index score remained unchanged at 54 out of 100, reflecting gains in some areas offset by continued strain in others.
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