The gender health gap refers to the disparities in healthcare access, treatment, and outcomes between men and women. This gap is a significant issue, as it leads to women experiencing poorer health outcomes compared to their male counterparts. Research indicates that women spend approximately 25% more of their lives in debilitating health than men, highlighting the urgent need for equitable healthcare solutions.

Why the Gender Health Gap is a Problem for Women

Several factors contribute to the gender health gap:

• Lack of Research: Historically, medical research has predominantly focused on male subjects (women were only officially included in clinical trials in the US in 1993), leading to a lack of understanding of women’s unique health needs. This results in underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of conditions that exclusively affect women like reproductive health or disproportionately like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and Alzheimer’s.
• Bias in Treatment: Women often face biases in clinical settings, where their symptoms may be dismissed or attributed to psychological factors rather than physical conditions. For instance, studies show that women are less likely to receive pain assessments and appropriate treatment compared to men
• Limited Access to Services: There is a shortage of healthcare facilities and specialists focused on women’s health issues, which exacerbates the problem. Many women report feeling unheard or undervalued in healthcare interactions, leading to a cycle of neglect and inadequate care

These factors culminate in significant health disparities, with women suffering from conditions like cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune disorders often receiving delayed diagnoses and treatments

What is Femtech?

Femtech, short for female technology, encompasses a range of digital health innovations aimed at addressing women’s healthcare needs. Femtech is one of the fastest growing areas of innovation and uses technology—such as mobile applications, telemedicine, wearable devices and self testing kits —to support the health and wellbeing of women through their life cycle, including the 4 Ms: menstruation, maternity, menopause and mental health as well as diseases that disproportionately affect women like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and chronic conditions

The Role of Femtech in Closing the Gender Health Gap

Closing the Gender Health Gap would add $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040. Femtech presents a promising avenue for mitigating the gender health gap through several mechanisms:

• Empowering Women with Data: Femtech solutions often focus on providing women with tools to track their health metrics. For instance, period-tracking apps allow users to monitor menstrual cycles and related symptoms, enabling better communication with healthcare providers if needed or more data to create better products

This data-driven approach empowers women by giving them quantifiable information about their bodies.

• Enhancing Access to Care: Innovations such as virtual clinics and telehealth services make it easier for women to access specialized care without geographical barriers and at lower costs. This is particularly beneficial for those living in underdeveloped, remote areas or facing mobility challenges
• Targeting Underrepresented Conditions: Femtech companies are increasingly focusing on conditions that disproportionately affect women but have been historically underfunded in research. For example, advancements in understanding endometriosis and menopause management are helping address long-standing gaps in knowledge and treatment options
• Fostering Inclusivity: By developing solutions tailored for diverse populations—including transgender individuals—Femtech aims to create more inclusive healthcare experiences that cater specifically to women’s unique needs.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its potential, Femtech faces several challenges:

• Funding Disparities: While investment in Femtech has grown significantly—reaching approximately $3.5 billion between 2021 and 2022—there remains a disparity in funding compared to other sectors of healthcare innovation
• Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating regulatory frameworks can be complex for startups in the Femtech space. Ensuring compliance while innovating can slow down the introduction of new solutions into the market
• Cultural Barriers: Societal stigma surrounding discussions of women’s health issues can hinder the adoption of Femtech solutions. Overcoming these cultural barriers requires concerted efforts from both industry leaders and advocates for women’s health

Conclusion

The gender health gap represents a critical challenge that affects millions of women worldwide. By leveraging the innovations offered by Femtech, there is a significant opportunity to close this gap. Through empowering women with data, enhancing access to care, targeting underrepresented conditions, and fostering inclusivity, Femtech can play a pivotal role in transforming women’s healthcare. However, addressing funding disparities, regulatory hurdles, and cultural barriers will be essential for realizing the full potential of this promising sector. As we move forward, continued advocacy and investment in women’s health are crucial for achieving equity in healthcare outcomes for all genders.

Sources:

https://www.citigroup.com/global/insights/femtech-and-the-gender-health-gap

https://www.blopig.com/blog/2024/04/how-can-femtech-help-close-the-gender-health-gap/

https://hellofuture.orange.com/en/femtech-wants-to-reduce-the-gender-gap-in-healthcare/

https://www.equipsme.com/blog/the-gender-health-gap-and-what-to-do-if-youve-fallen-in/

https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies

Editor’s Note: Read more on this issue in this article from the October 7, 2024 Gender on the Ballot Media Update: “The Huge Disadvantage women behind femtech phenomenon face.”