Post by Merck Healthcare

We are delighted to celebrate the recipients of the 2026 APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize. Congratulations to Professor Zhu Zhaofang, this year’s winner, for her research, “Analysis of Fertility Costs and the Adequacy of Maternity Insurance Coverage Among Women in China.” Her research examines the financial burden associated with childbearing and highlights how strengthened maternity protection can help reduce out-of-pocket costs while supporting women’s choices around work, family, and personal development. We are also pleased to recognize the 2026 runners-up: 🔹 Dr. Woo Yin Ling – The Acceptability, Safety, and Performance of Primary Cervical Screening Through Self-Collected Vaginal Samples in an Urban Teaching Hospital Antenatal Clinic Setting 🔹 Dr. Sunjin Pak – Tipping the Scales: How Paid Work Hours Thresholds Impact Health and Gender Wage Disparities We are proud to support the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Research Prize and the generation of evidence that helps inform policies and actions advancing women’s health, workforce participation, and economic empowerment across APEC economies. Through research, collaboration and innovation, we can help create healthier futures for women and stronger economies for all. Learn more about the Research Prize and this year’s winning research: https://lnkd.in/gewwH24 #AsOneForPatients #HealthyWomenHealthyEconomies #WomensHealth

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