The French Assurance Maladie (National Health Insurance) received the 2026 prize from the Agir pour le cœur des femmes (Act for Women’s Hearts) foundation for its operational contribution to the “Bus du Cœur des Femmes” (Women’s Heart Bus) initiative, the foundation announced this month.
The recognition highlights a growing, if belated, focus on women’s health in France, and internationally. For decades, medical research and practice have often prioritized male bodies, leading to disparities in diagnosis and treatment. A recent report by the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) points to a significant gap in understanding how diseases manifest differently in women.
This disparity is particularly stark in cardiovascular health. According to CNRS research, 9.6% of women who suffer a myocardial infarction (heart attack) die in hospital, compared to 3.9% of men. This difference is attributed to a lack of awareness regarding the distinct symptoms women experience during a heart attack.
The issue extends beyond cardiology. The CNRS journal reported earlier this month that women are disproportionately affected by autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid polyarthritis, and lupus, and often experience more severe symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease also affects women at a higher rate; 60% of those diagnosed in France are women, and they face a two-fold increased risk of developing the disease over their lifetime.
Researchers are investigating the underlying causes of these disparities, exploring potential links to hormonal differences, genetic factors, and immune system variations. The foundation Agir pour le cœur des femmes, in partnership with the Assurance Maladie, is actively working to address the gap in awareness and improve healthcare for women through initiatives like the mobile screening program recognized with the 2026 prize. The Assurance Maladie’s involvement has been operational, supporting the bus’s deployment across various regions of France since 2021.
Despite increased attention, significant challenges remain. The CNRS notes that understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these sex-based differences is crucial for developing therapies tailored to patients’ specific needs. The foundation has not yet announced plans for further expansion of the “Bus du Cœur des Femmes” program beyond its current schedule.
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