This month, we attended Giant Health’s Women’s Health Technology Show in London where industry leaders, innovators and women’s health professionals came together to discuss progress and barriers in women’s healthcare. A key topic of discussion was data. We learned that healthcare data has historically failed women, and has become a significant roadblock for progress.
While women make up 51% of the population and spend approximately nine more years in ill health, data collection remains surface-level, lacking the granular segmentation needed to identify women-specific trends. This data gap is costing the UK £39 billion annually – the equivalent to 20% of the NHS budget.
There are several challenges at play. Clinical trials rarely focus on demographics, while in the healthcare setting, symptoms are recorded without proper linkage to diagnoses. The data is not being captured, shared, paired or used to correlate trends and the bigger picture. Moreover, speakers noted that treatment effectiveness is not being tracked consistently across different populations, and cultural and ethnic variations are poorly documented.
This systemic failure to collect comprehensive data has created significant barriers to advancing women’s healthcare as a result.
The impact of inadequate data collection
The consequences of lack of data are significant. For instance, we learnt that 87% of women on gynecological waiting lists do not actually require surgical procedures. Instead, they need primary or mediatory care. Without proper data collection and analysis, important insights remain hidden, leading to misallocation of resources and suboptimal care routes.
Even more concerning, there are disproportionate burdens among populations. Black and Asian women face higher maternal mortality rates, yet the data to understand and address these disparities remains insufficient.
And, the data gap isn’t just a technical problem – it’s evolved into a communication crisis. Eight in ten women report not feeling hearted by healthcare professionals, highlighting a fundamental breakdown in how women feel about the treatment, information and care offered. More data means better care.
Technology as an enabler for transformation
This is where tech can support. Digital platforms can collect more comprehensive women’s health data, while ensuring solutions remain accessible across different demographics. The key is leveraging AI and data analytics to support the human element of care.
Inclusive development is essential to this progress. With less than 25% of the UK’s AI task force being female, we need to increase diversity in health tech development. Data collection methods must consider cultural and ethnic variations, leading to solutions that serve the entire population, not just select groups.
Advancing the conversation
Communications also has a crucial role in bridging the gap between data, healthcare providers and patients. Through narrative building, PR professionals can transform complex health data into accessible stories, highlight the human impact of health initiatives and create compelling narratives that drive change.
It’s also about creating an open dialogue through your communication strategy. Building trust through transparent communication and supporting educational initiatives will empower women to advocate for their health and ensure all voices are heard and catered to by healthcare and femtech brands innovating solutions that serve.
Campaigns that normalise conversations around women’s health and use data to drive evidence-based messages will be key. Critically, communication strategies must be inclusive, reaching diverse audiences to ensure that the information reaches those who need it most.
With better communication, the hope is more women will feel seen and heard by the healthcare industry.
Looking ahead
This isn’t just about numbers – it’s about transforming how we understand, discuss and address women’s health needs across all demographics. Advancing women’s health requires a coordinated approach that combines improved data collection with effective communication. Success will depend on making data collection more comprehensive and representative, ensuring findings are communicated in accessible and actionable ways.
Only by closing the data gap, can we create a healthcare system that truly serves women’s needs and helps reduce the current disparities in health outcomes.
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