Twenty healthtechs focused on monitoring women’s health
During the week in which International Women’s Day is celebrated, the FemAging project, a global initiative focused on supporting and leveraging innovation to improve the health and well-being of women over 40, presented 20 initiatives that develop innovations for this target. Women’s digital health refers to the use of digital technologies such as mobile apps, wearables, telemedicine, and other digital health tools to improve the well-being and health of women. The organization also released the FemAging 2023 report, with an index generated from research conducted in the states with 1,000 women between 40 and 65 years old.
Innovation in the FemAging Sector
The FemAging project was launched in 2020 to stimulate innovation in software, devices, wearables, and other areas targeting women over 40. For the 2023 report, the FemAging project analysed over 100 companies in the areas of femtech, women’s health, apparel, health, food, beauty, among others, to identify the 20 “FemAging Tech Champions”. “Since we launched the FemAging project, we have seen advances in the availability of products, services, and innovations aimed at women over 40,” highlights Denise Pines, co-founder of the FemAging project.
Key Initiatives and Solutions
Innovative initiatives that have developed digital products, services and solutions for women over 40 include:
- Bloomer Tech, which has developed a bra with sensors to capture vital heart health data.
- Moonalisa, an early-stage startup developing a sleep clinic with professors from Stanford and Harvard.
- Midi, which has developed a virtual clinic as a focus on addressing the health needs of women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and other conditions associated with fluctuating hormone levels.
- Hormona, which started as an online community and has evolved to offer a hormone monitoring app.
- Renalis, which is developing several digital therapies focused on treating pelvic health disorders, including overactive bladder.
- Embr Labs, which has developed Embr Wave, a personal thermostat that aims to improve sleep, relieve anxiety and help better control heat waves.
- Roga, therapeutic wearable to be worn as a pair of headphones.
Technology Adoption and Market Trends
Among the report’s key revelations, the FemAging Index identified that older women are trend-setters in technology adoption in some areas. The following data highlights the usage of technology among the 40-65 year old group:
| Technology Category | Adoption Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Voice-activated solutions (Alexa/Siri) | 41% |
| Wearables devices | 35% |
| Smart home technologies | 30% |
| Digital/cryptocurrencies | 8% |
Overall, 58% of the women interviewed have significant concerns about their ability to remain active, healthy, and independent as they age. They face health problems associated with ageing and hormonal changes due to perimenopause and menopause, particularly in the areas of sleep, stress and anxiety, and cognitive problems. Furthermore, in Q2 2023, the FemAging Project will launch Femaya, a smart platform based on GPT to answer questions from the female audience about health and ageing.
Challenges and Growth Potential
According to the FemAging report, one of the most difficult challenges associated with promoting innovation in women’s health is overcoming organizational, social and individual barriers. Dealing with female ageing is an entirely new field, historically under-recognised and undervalued. However, women’s health innovation efforts are worthwhile, as it is the fastest-growing segment in recent years, with the potential to reach US$75.1 billion, according to research by FemTech Analytics.