HOW CAN FEMTECH INNOVATIONS EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE UNIQUE HEALTH CHALLENGES AND NEEDS FACED BY WOMEN ACROSS DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE ?
E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N
There is a large disparity in the quality of healthcare provision for women compared to men , with a recent McKinsey study revealing women spend 25 % more time in poor health than their male counterparts . The research also revealed that closing the women ’ s health gap could contribute an additional $ 1 trillion to the global economy each year .
According to Marion Jeng , Associate at boutique investment bank DAI Magister , solving concerns around misdiagnosis and general neglect in women ’ s healthcare requires both increased investor attention and support for technological innovation .
Jeng said : “ FemTech extends far beyond fertility , periods , and pregnancies . It encompasses a diverse ecosystem of companies , each focusing on different aspects of women ’ s health , from fertility solutions that empower women with reproductive health and family planning tools to technologies supporting pregnancy and motherhood .
“ Unfortunately , the predominantly maledominated investor landscape tends to overlook the significant potential of FemTech as an emerging sector , mainly due to a prevalent comfort bias .
“ These biases are magnified by the incorrect perception that targeting female consumers represents a niche market . Many health concerns tackled by FemTech , like fertility , are not only women ’ s issues but are also relevant to men , underscoring the broader significance of these technologies . This undervaluing of the sector ’ s potential means missed opportunities for investors to be part of a transformative force in healthcare .
“ Business-to-consumer FemTech firms will need to carve out a clear path to monetisation to stand out , and strategic partnerships are a viable solution , providing scalability and consistent revenue streams , helping broaden the market reach and bolster the credibility of the companies involved showcasing the integration potential of the solutions .
At only 25 years old , I have seen a cultural shift in how we approach female health . From teaching young boys to stop associating periods with reactions like “ GROSS !”, to young girls and women being empowered to openly discuss their gynaecology , experience with menopause and more . Due to these shifts , where female comedians can jest about birth , menstruation products are less cryptic in their advertising and even the highest-grossing movie of 2023 , Greta Gerwigs Barbie , seeing Margot Robbie stating the final line : “ I ’ m here to see my Gynaecologist ”, people have started to pay attention .
From investors to tech companies , female health has – finally – risen up the priority ladder .
HOW CAN FEMTECH INNOVATIONS EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE UNIQUE HEALTH CHALLENGES AND NEEDS FACED BY WOMEN ACROSS DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE ?
“ We expect additional funding to flow to AI technologies that improve diagnostics , as female-related illnesses remain widely untargeted and underserved by traditional research . For example , diagnostic tools for conditions such as Endometriosis use blood-based microRNA markers that can be employed to develop an AI-powered diagnostic algorithm with efficacy comparable to the current standard of invasive laparoscopic surgery , making this an area ripe for investor and strategic buyer interest .
“ AI innovations have also been instrumental in advancing the early detection of breast cancer . AI-powered medical imaging technology has been applied to classifying breast tissue density with remarkably high accuracy , evaluating image quality instantaneously to optimise the detection workflow . Successes like these exemplify the immense potential of AI in revolutionising healthcare diagnostics , making it an appealing sector for investors .”
Jeng concluded : “ The true promise and impact of the FemTech sector often goes unrecognised , despite presenting a significant market opportunity . Investors should be increasingly drawn to the sector ’ s potential for disruption , as technology continues to empower women to take charge of their health in ways that were previously inaccessible . The intersection of technology and women ’ s health not only opens vast untapped markets but also contributes to breaking down stigmas surrounding women ’ s health , making FemTech a socially impactful and financially promising investment .”
I ask two experts our question of the month to delve further into how FemTech innovations can truly effectively address the unique health challenges and needs faced by women across different stages of life .
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