Research on Fertility Cost Wins 2026 APEC Research Prize

Research examining fertility costs, preventive healthcare access and workplace inequalities has received top recognition under the 2026 APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize, highlighting the growing importance of health policy in supporting women’s economic participation across the Asia-Pacific.

Professor Zhu Zhaofang, Head of the Strategic Planning Division at the National Center for Maternal and Child Health under China’s National Health Commission, and her team received the top prize for research examining the growing financial pressures associated with childbearing and maternal healthcare.

Drawing on data from China, the study explores how maternity insurance systems can better support women and families by reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs and strengthening maternity protection policies amid broader demographic and workforce challenges.

“Childbearing is both a personal and social choice. Women's decision to have children should never be constrained by economic pressures or personal development and career aspirations,” said Professor Zhu.

“This research demonstrates that with the right policy design, comprehensive maternity security is both achievable and fiscally sustainable. I hope these findings contribute to building economies where women are supported, as workers, as caregivers and as the foundation of healthy, thriving societies.”

The prize, presented annually by the APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy, recognizes outstanding research that advances women’s economic participation by improving health outcomes.

Watch: 2026 Healthy Women Healthy Economy Research Prize Winner

Two additional studies were recognized as runners-up.

Dr Woo Yin Ling and her team from the University of Malaya and the ROSE Foundation in Malaysia were recognized for research exploring how antenatal care visits could help expand access to cervical cancer screening and preventive healthcare services.

Dr Sunjin Pak and colleagues from California State University Bakersfield in the United States were also recognized for research examining how long working hours and unpaid caregiving responsibilities can affect health outcomes and contribute to gender wage disparities.

“The experience of the APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize highlights the important role of research in advancing women's health and economic participation across APEC economies,” Zhang Jianmin, Interim Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy.

“Congratulations to this year's prize recipients, and we look forward to more research outputs that support knowledge sharing and more inclusive growth across the region because when we invest in women's health, we invest in the future of our economies,” Zhang added.

The APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize is sponsored by Merck and supports APEC’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive growth through public-private partnerships.

“Merck is honored to support the APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize for the eighth consecutive year. The research recognized in 2026 highlights important evidence on women’s health, economic participation and access to care across the APEC region,” said Andre Musto, Managing Director and General Manager of Merck Healthcare China.

“We are pleased to continue supporting this platform, which helps elevate research, encourage dialogue, and contribute to shared learning among APEC economies.”

The Healthy Women, Healthy Economies (HWHE) initiative is grounded in the APEC HWHE Policy Toolkit, which highlights five areas for action: workplace health and safety; health awareness and access; sexual and reproductive health; gender-based violence; and work-life balance. The initiative supports policymakers, industry and civil society to advance women’s health as a foundation for broader economic empowerment.

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