Report on The Unexplored Wealth in Women’s Health

Background:

Women's health receives only 4% of the total funding allocated to research and development for healthcare products and services, despite women constituting nearly 50% of the world's population and workforce. Historically, medical sciences have treated men and women as interchangeable subjects, with a disproportionate emphasis on male-centric studies. This approach not only hinders women but has broader societal implications.

Current research often adopts a narrow focus, primarily centered around reproductive organs and breast cancer—the so-called "bikini approach." While crucial, this approach overlooks numerous areas where women exhibit higher prevalence but receive inadequate study and understanding. The funding gap extends beyond female-specific conditions to include instances where women are disproportionately affected. Statistics reveal stark disparities, with women being three times more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases, twice as prone to depression and anxiety, and 1.5 times more susceptible to Alzheimer's, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Recognizing fundamental differences in drug metabolism between men and women underscores the critical need for increased female representation in clinical trials. Analysis of federal spending in the US reveals a significant imbalance, with twice as much funding directed towards diseases primarily affecting men. Alarmingly, only 4.5% of funding for coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death in women, is allocated to female-specific research.

Women, shown to play a pivotal role in global economic development, require equal opportunities, starting with their health, to continue driving progress. Empowering women can uplift entire families and communities out of poverty. A modest shift in funding towards women's health research could yield substantial returns. For instance, doubling the National Health Institute's budget for coronary artery disease research in women could result in a staggering return on investment of 9,500%, while a similar increase in funding for rheumatoid arthritis research could deliver a remarkable ROI of 174,000%.

Investing in women's health not only ensures their well-being but also stands as a strategic economic decision with vast potential benefits.

Method:

With these figures and information in mind, a collaborative meeting between industry and academia was held at GoCo Innovation City to explore the potential and to identify "the unexplored wealth in women’s health."

The meeting focused on 4 key topics within the field, which included:

1. Birth Related Injuries

Studies show that 20% of all women will require surgery at some point in life as a result of an injury sustained by childbirth. These injuries include urological disorders, anal prolapse, and pelvic floor dysfunction, to name a few.

- Maria Gyhagen from University of Gothenburg

2. Best practices for cesareans & how to improve the intervention for women

Taking a clinical focus on best practices for cesareans and how to improve the overall experience for women.

- Linda Mårlind & Linda Sångberg from Mölnlycke Health Care

3. Precision medicine and the potential for Women’s Health

Focusing on how precision medicine is a fundamental shift in how we think about medicine and biomedical research, and how it moves us away from the standard patient to taking into account interindividual differences and biopsychosocial contexts, which is crucial to further develop healthcare for women.

- Annikka Polster from Cahlmers

4. MedTech with a focus on the importance of FemTech

Focus on the strategic innovation program Medtech4Health, how they work with Femtech, and why FemTech is important.

- Avesta Stakholm from Medtech4health

Following the introduction of each topic, a meeting concept called Open Space was used to facilitate discussions between the participating audience and speakers to establish the questions and potential areas that we would like to see addressed. A fifth topic area titled “Wild Card” was added to the mix, and the audience were invited to partake in creating the agenda. The following agenda points were suggested and discussed:

Results:

In this section, we delve into the outcomes emerging from the Open Space discussions held across the various agenda points. These results not only shed light on the existing challenges but also offer insightful recommendations for enhancement and improvement within the discussed domains.

1. Birth Related Injuries

“How can settings of the birth be improved to limit birth-related injuries?”

In the realm of maternity care, the option of home birth presents both advantages and drawbacks. Advocates of home birth appreciate the personalized environment and reduced medical interventions, fostering a sense of empowerment for the mother. However, concerns about emergency preparedness and the potential for complications underscore the need for careful consideration.

1. Birth Related Injuries

“How do we empower the woman to make informed decisions before delivery?”

To enable women to make well-informed choices about their birthing experiences, there is a growing call for increased access to clinically approved information. Platforms like 1177 could play a crucial role in delivering reliable resources, allowing expectant mothers to navigate the plethora of options available and make decisions aligned with their preferences and health needs.

Crucially, there is a collective push to shift the focus towards maternal health not only during pregnancy but also postpartum. Enhancing post-birth care is seen as paramount, emphasizing the physical and mental well-being of the mother. An essential aspect of empowering women in their birthing experience lies in prioritizing childbirth autonomy. This involves cultivating an environment that promotes informed decision-making, ensuring that women have access to unbiased information. By doing so, the goal is to empower expectant mothers to actively participate in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of control over their childbirth experience. In summary, the evolving landscape of maternity care seeks to strike a balance between the advantages and challenges of vaginal vs cesarian childbirth, providing women with a wealth of clinically approved information through platforms like 1177, so that they can be the decider of the outcome. The overarching goal is to enhance the focus on maternal health, both during and after birth, while championing childbirth autonomy through informed decision-making and unbiased information.

2. Best Practices for Cesareans & How to Improve the Intervention for Women

Navigating the intricacies of maternal healthcare involves striking a delicate balance between cost considerations and individual choices. The imperative need for tailored risk assessment tools, with a particular emphasis on genotypes, to enhance precision and personalized care is recognized. Additionally, addressing the healthcare landscape from a patient-centric perspective calls for the establishment of protocols that specifically incorporate the unique needs of women, ensuring a holistic and individualized approach to healthcare.

3. Precision Medicine and the Potential for Women’s Health

To increase the engagement of underrepresented groups of women in studies, there is a call for demanding gender perspectives, emphasizing the importance of women's participation through increased information sharing and conducting thorough risk assessments related to women's health before study initiation. Additionally, advocating for the capture of more comprehensive data about women's bodies, potentially leveraging historical information from military service, and pushing for legislation requiring equal representation of women, both in testing before new medical launches and across all studies, aim to address gender disparities in research.

4. MedTech with a Focus on the Importance of FemTech

“How can we empower more women to be entrepreneurs?”

To promote female entrepreneurship, fostering an inclusive study and work culture is crucial, alongside a shift in leadership dynamics. Offering entrepreneurship courses in diverse fields, targeted at students in technology and nature programs, can broaden the entrepreneurial landscape. Elevating the visibility of women in the media and academia, along with establishing women-focused incubators attuned to various life phases, addresses unique needs such as pregnancy or menopause. Facilitating two-way mentorship, where experienced male entrepreneurs guide aspiring women entrepreneurs, creates a supportive ecosystem. Streamlining application processes for research grants by eliminating gender bias ensures fair opportunities for female entrepreneurs. Increased financial support for knowledgeable entrepreneurs and a commitment to women supporting each other further fortify the foundation for female entrepreneurship.

4. MedTech with a Focus on the Importance of FemTech

“How Do We Triage Women in the ER and Not Just Generally Triage ‘Like Men’?”

Leveraging the collection of data on women's health-related visits to the emergency room holds immense potential for enhancing triage processes. Analyzing this data can provide valuable insights into the unique patterns and needs associated with women's health emergencies, allowing for more informed and tailored triage decisions. By harnessing this information, healthcare systems can optimize resource allocation, improve response times, and ultimately elevate the quality of care provided to women in emergency situations.

5. Wild Card

“How Do We Get More Men in the Room?”

Encouraging more men to engage in discussions about women's health involves destigmatizing the topic, ensuring it is inclusive and not exclusive to women, and highlighting the socio-economic benefits connected to improved health outcomes. Efforts should focus on making conversations easier and more open, expanding the narrative beyond a women's club to encompass the broader future of health. Featuring a high-profile male spokesperson or role model can help shift perceptions, emphasizing that women's health is a concern for everyone. Using inclusive language that emphasizes the significance of women's health for 50% of the population and even proposing a new Nobel Prize dedicated to women's health can further promote dialogue and awareness.

5. Wild Card

“How Do We Get Media to Really Write About This Topic?”

Effectively garnering media attention on the topic involves several strategies. First, involving celebrities and sports figures can amplify the visibility and importance of the subject. Second, presenting data-driven facts that explicitly highlight gender inequalities in women's health captures attention and bolsters the credibility of the narrative. Third, exploring and disseminating information from the National Action Plan (National Handlingsplan) 2030 can provide a comprehensive overview of initiatives and goals related to women's health. Lastly, encouraging an open dialogue by daring to ask questions can stimulate media interest and foster a more informed and engaged public conversation on this critical issue.

5. Wild Card

“How Do We Make the Workplace/Schools Places Where You Can Live Through Menopause/Menstruation?”

Creating workplaces and schools that accommodate menopause and menstruation involves a multifaceted approach. First, incorporating women's health into mandatory manager training programs ensures that leaders are equipped to understand and support the needs of their female employees. Encouraging open communication by daring to ask questions and providing more education to Human Resources further promotes a supportive environment. Additionally, making period products visible to both men and women helps normalize the conversation around menstruation. Education initiatives targeted at young people, especially boys, through school programs and social media, can break down stigmas and foster understanding about women's health. Finally, empowering girls from an early age to openly discuss and express their feelings and concerns about their bodies cultivates a culture of openness and inclusivity.

5. Wild Card

“How Do We Create and Gain Funding for a Women’s Health-Specific Research Center?”

Establishing and securing funding for a women's health-specific research center involves strategic initiatives. Firstly, organizing networking events tailored for women can build a supportive community and attract potential donors or collaborators. The creation of a Think Tank specifically for women provides a platform for innovative ideas and collaboration within the field of women's health research. To gain funding, integrating a women's health research focus at a reputable institution like GoCo can lend credibility and provide a foundation for financial support. Additionally, a targeted initiative such as GoCo Active, focusing on women's sports, not only aligns with health research but can also attract sponsors and partners interested in supporting initiatives that promote women's well-being. Combining these approaches forms a comprehensive strategy for both creating and funding a dedicated women's health research center.