Assessing & Addressing the State of Women’s Healthcare
November 30, 2023
- Kristen Garrett CTA Manager, Market Research
- Irica Cheeks CTA Director, Membership Marketing
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) recognizes the underrepresentation and underfunding of research in healthcare for women, a demographic that represents more than half of the U.S. population. This issue has prompted research efforts led by CTA and, most recently, the White House, calling for action on how industry and the federal government approach and fund research into women’s healthcare. Explore what the CTA research reveals, and how inequities can be resolved.
Many Americans are aware of the significant equity gaps in therapeutic options and treatments for women’s health. Often, resources and research fall short in prioritizing the well-being of female populations. A recent CTA study, The Future of Women’s Digital Health Solutions, involving 1001 U.S. adult women, highlights opportunities for technology to counter disparities, and calls out key factors impacting women. Notably, 64% of women believe digital health solutions can reduce healthcare costs. Moreover, 58% think these solutions can help reduce healthcare inequities.
What’s being done to level the healthcare field? As will be seen at CES 2024, the tech industry is stepping up with solutions that promise to facilitate research and testing, improve access to therapies, lower overall costs and increase awareness of resources.
Surveying the Women’s Healthcare Landscape
Women’s use of digital health tools is primarily driven by three key factors identified in CTA’s study: the ability to track and monitor health effectively (40%), the aspiration to positively impact their health (39%) and the goal of establishing new healthy habits (36%). Personalized health tracking allows women to effectively manage their health with digital tools like apps and wearables. These help women keep tabs on various wellness parameters such as menstrual health, mental health, fitness and nutrition.
Digital health technologies and solutions not only provide personalized data but also empower women to make more informed health decisions leading to a positive health outcomes. Moreover, digital solutions are instrumental in preventive care and helping women achieve their healthy-habit goals. They offer reminders for health screenings and aid in the early detection of potential health issues through symptom tracking. This pragmatic approach to health management is an indicator of technology’s increasingly vital role in women's healthcare.
A Call for Federal Collaboration
The push for innovation to support women’s health is mirrored by recent federal action. In mid-November, the Biden Administration issued its Memorandum on the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. It directs a team led by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to provide “concrete recommendations” to address prevention, diagnostics and treatments for women’s health issues.
President Biden's memorandum represents a pivotal advancement in women's health research, emphasizing the need for expanded research in historically underfunded and overlooked areas. It specifically addresses health disparities among minority and underserved women and supports the development of policies to integrate women's health research into broader health initiatives.
This directive is a critical step toward prioritizing and enhancing women's healthcare. CTA research underscores the importance of this initiative.
Digital and Women’s Health at CES 2024
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