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Women's health is essential to global societal and economic wellbeing, yet health disparities remain prevalent. The vaginal microbiota plays a critical role in health, with research indicating that reduced levels of core bacteria, such as lactobacilli, are associated with conditions like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and increased infection susceptibility. Lower levels of vaginal lactobacilli are reported more frequently in women of African and Latin American descent compared with women of European and Asian descent. However, geographical and other study inclusion and analysis biases influence current research. This opinion highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of a 'healthy' vaginal microbiome. It underscores efforts to broaden global research on microbiome diversity in socially relevant contexts, avoiding inappropriate applications of terms such as race and ethnicity., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests S.C.C. has received travel support from Copan to participate in two scientific conferences to present the Isala Sisterhood. S.A. is a voluntary academic board member of the International Scientific Association on Probiotics and Prebiotics, Students, and Fellows Association (https://www.isapp-sfa.com). S.L. and G.V. are academic board members of the International Scientific Association on Probiotics and Prebiotics (www.isappscience.org), but this organization was not involved in this opinion article. M.C.C., S.L. and G.V. have received travel grants from ISAPP to participate in meetings. As a principal investigator (PI), S.L. has received research funding from several companies not involved in this opinion. She has been a scientific advisor for YUN and is now advising for Freya Biosciences. G.D. is the chairperson of Femicare vzw (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063440664962) and has worked as a medical consultant for various industries. None of these organizations or companies was involved in the present opinion article. M.T., J.K., K.C.A., V.P.C., M.G.D.B., C.M., S.M., and T.G. declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)