ESG Alignment on Women’s Health
Ever since ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) became a governmental priority, people have increasingly started thinking about the under-representation of women in business, science and clinical trials, resulting for instance in the passing of the EU’s landmark 40% quota for women on corporate boards. However there are still no frameworks for quantifying how much and who supports women’s health.
Women-Centric Cancer Care
Women are 34% more likely than men to experience severe side effects from cancer treatments. But why is this the case? Research suggests that gender stereotypes may play a role in the cancer experience.
Femtechnology University Series x ETH Zurich: What we learned…
This university series aims to discuss how to transition from women’s health to founding a femtech start-up. During our session at ETH Zurich, we had the honor of hosting four panelists: Sabrina Badir, Prof. Dr. med Susanne Wegener, Prof. Dr. med Beatrice Beck Schimmer and Liliane Brunner Halbach. Read More “Femtechnology University Series x ETH Zurich: What we learned…”
Femtechnology Summit 2023 – The Role of the Media in Women’s Health Workshop
During the FemTechnology Summit Workshop on The Role of the Media in Women’s Health, we wanted to discuss the many uses of social media for health-related purposes (e.g., interventions, health campaigns, medical education, and disease outbreak surveillance) as well as the potential risks patients and healthcare professionals (e.g., poor-quality information, damage to professional image, breaches of patient privacy, and legal issues), and in particular in relation to women’s health.
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The Future of Women’s Health is Here: 5 FemTech Products You Need to Know About
FemTech is a growing sector in the tech industry that focuses on developing products and services specifically for women’s health and wellness. With the rise of FemTech, women have access to a range of innovative products that cater to their unique needs and experiences. In this blog post, we will explore five FemTech products that are making waves in the industry.
#1 – Clue:
Clue is a period tracking app that uses data to provide personalized insights into menstrual cycles. It allows users to track their period, PMS symptoms, and sexual activity. Clue’s algorithm analyzes the data and provides personalized insights, such as predictions of the next menstrual cycle and fertile windows. Additionally, Clue offers in-app educational resources on menstruation and sexual health. The app has over 12 million users worldwide and has been praised for its user-friendly interface and privacy policies.
#2 – Parla:
Parla is a FemTech startup that uses machine learning to diagnose and treat women’s reproductive health issues. The Parla AI platform can analyze medical history and symptoms to identify potential conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and fibroids. Parla’s app also offers personalized treatment plans, with the option to connect with a physician for additional support. The startup is part of a growing trend in telemedicine, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
#3- Elvie:
Elvie is a FemTech company that specializes in pelvic floor muscle training. The company offers an app-connected Kegel trainer that tracks progress and offers personalized exercise plans. The device is designed to help women improve bladder control and sexual function, especially after childbirth. Elvie’s pelvic floor trainer has been praised for its sleek design, easy-to-use app, and discreet packaging.
#4- Daye:
Daye is a FemTech startup that focuses on sustainable menstrual products. The company’s flagship product is a tampon that is made of organic cotton and is designed to reduce the environmental impact of menstruation. Daye’s tampons come with an easy-to-use applicator and are designed to be leak-proof. Additionally, Daye offers a subscription service that delivers tampons directly to users’ doors, making it easier to manage menstrual cycles.
#5 – Jude:
Jude is a FemTech company that uses technology to provide sexual health education and resources. The company’s app offers personalized sexual health plans, educational resources, and a chatbot that answers questions about sexual health. The app also offers access to licensed healthcare professionals for additional support. Jude’s mission is to destigmatize conversations around sexual health and make it easier for people to access the care they need.
To conclude, the world of FemTech is an exciting and rapidly growing sector of the tech industry, with new products and services being developed every day. Clue, Parla, Daya, Daye, and Jude are just a few examples of the innovative products that are transforming women’s health and wellness. These products offer personalized solutions, increased accessibility, and a focus on sustainability and education. As FemTech continues to grow, it has the potential to revolutionize healthcare and empower women to take control of their health and wellness.
Women’s Health, Productivity and Equity
Women’s health is a crucial component of overall wellbeing and productivity. Unfortunately, there is still a significant data gap when it comes to understanding and addressing women’s health needs. The gender data gap refers to the lack of accurate and comprehensive data on the experiences of women and girls in a variety of areas, including health.
This data gap has serious implications for women’s health outcomes, as it can lead to a lack of understanding of the unique health needs and challenges faced by women. It can also limit the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and policies aimed at improving women’s health.
There are a number of health benefits that can be achieved by addressing women’s health needs. For example, improving access to reproductive health services can lead to improved maternal and infant health outcomes, as well as a decrease in unintended pregnancies. Addressing women’s mental health needs can also have significant benefits, including improving overall quality of life and reducing the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease.
However, achieving these health benefits requires a commitment to equity and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This means addressing the unique challenges faced by women from diverse backgrounds, including those who face barriers to accessing healthcare and those who experience discrimination or bias in healthcare settings. It also entails recognizing and addressing systemic barriers to healthcare access and quality, such as bias and discrimination, and working to create a more inclusive and welcoming healthcare environment for all patients.
To achieve equity in women’s health, it is necessary to address the gender data gap and work towards a more comprehensive understanding of women’s health needs. This can involve collecting more data on women’s health experiences, including information on their healthcare access, utilization, and outcomes. It can also involve ensuring that healthcare providers receive adequate training on gender and cultural competence to ensure that they are able to provide high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their background.
Ultimately, improving women’s health outcomes requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the unique health needs of women from diverse backgrounds, and works towards equity and inclusion in all aspects of healthcare delivery. By addressing the gender data gap and prioritizing DEI in healthcare, we can improve health outcomes for women and promote overall productivity and wellbeing.
By providing women with tools to track and manage their own health, FemTechnology can empower women to take a more active role in their own care and improve their health outcomes.
However, there is a risk that femtech solutions may exacerbate the gender data gap if they are not designed with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind. For example, if femtech solutions are only designed for a narrow demographic of women, they may not accurately reflect the experiences and health needs of women from diverse backgrounds.
To ensure that femtech solutions are effective and equitable, it is important to prioritize diversity and inclusion in the development and deployment of these technologies. This means involving diverse groups of women in the design and testing of femtech products, and ensuring that they are accessible and affordable for all women.
Overall, femtech has the potential to play a crucial role in promoting women’s health and productivity. By addressing the gender data gap and prioritizing equity and inclusion in the development of these technologies, we can ensure that femtech solutions are effective and accessible for all women, regardless of their background.
How does DEI fit into FemTech space?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an essential aspect of any industry or field, and the FemTech space is no exception. FemTech is a growing market that focuses on developing and innovating technology solutions for women’s health and wellness. This industry has the potential to significantly impact the lives of women worldwide, particularly those from diverse backgrounds who often face additional barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
In recent years, there has been a push for greater DEI in the tech industry as a whole, and this push has extended to the FemTech space as well. There are several ways in which DEI fits into the FemTech space:
Firstly, it is important to note that women from diverse backgrounds often face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare. These challenges may include cultural barriers, lack of access to healthcare providers, and systemic discrimination. FemTech companies that prioritize DEI can help bridge this gap by creating products and services that are specifically designed to address these challenges.
For example, a FemTech company might develop an app that offers multilingual support and culturally sensitive content to cater to women from diverse backgrounds. By doing so, the company can ensure that its product is accessible to women who might otherwise be excluded from the market.
Secondly, DEI can also help promote innovation in the FemTech space. When companies prioritize diversity, they bring in a variety of perspectives and experiences, which can lead to more creative solutions. This can result in products that are more inclusive, effective, and better suited to meet the needs of a diverse population.
Thirdly, promoting DEI can also help foster trust between FemTech companies and their users. Women want to know that the companies they are trusting with their health and wellness are committed to supporting and advocating for them. By prioritizing DEI, companies can demonstrate this commitment and build stronger relationships with their users.
Lastly, DEI is crucial for the long-term success of the FemTech industry. The industry is growing rapidly, and companies that prioritize DEI now will be better positioned to compete and succeed in the future. By building diverse teams, creating inclusive products, and prioritizing equity and inclusion, FemTech companies can establish themselves as leaders in the industry and drive meaningful change in the world of women’s health and wellness.
In conclusion, DEI is an essential aspect of the FemTech space. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, FemTech companies can develop more innovative products, promote trust with their users, and establish themselves as leaders in the industry. As the FemTech industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that DEI remains a priority to ensure that the benefits of this industry are accessible to all women, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Who Is Looking To Close The Gender Data Gap?
Let’s take a look at a few companies that are taking action to close the gender data gap in healthcare.
Collaborating with Roche at the FemTechnology Summit 2023
We asked Roche why they wanted to collaborate on this year’s FemTechnology Summit. Check out their answer and take a look at the beautiful venue for the FemTechnology Summit 2023!
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Why does international Women’s Day Matter? A closer look at the inventor gender gap
Happy International Women’s Day! International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year to commemorate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to raise awareness of gender inequality and advocate for women’s rights.
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? FemTechnology Summit 2023: June 7
FEMTECHNOLOGY SUMMIT is back! The first in-person edition of FemTechnology Summit will be held on Roche Campus in Basel, Switzerland June 7th 2023.
The Patient Journey and Women’s Health
Why do we need to innovate in women’s health? And what does it mean to reimagine the patient journey with women in mind?
FemTechnology University Series (a crash course on the state of women’s health)
What if FemTech was healthcare’s next great redesign? (Or, in other words, why does healthcare need a redesign).
Read More “FemTechnology University Series (a crash course on the state of women’s health)”
