Why is it so important to talk about content at a tech conference? Because, although technology powers our modern society, it is the stories we tell, and content we create, that drives how that technology is applied and what we choose to use tech for.  Think about it: would Instagram or TikTok or Facebook or even OpenAi (especially OpenAi and their large language models (LLMs)) be anything without content, without stories? No. And the stories we do not tell are just as important as the stories we do. In no arena is the impact of omitting stories (in this case the stories of women) more ob ..read more

Illuminating Insights from Digital Health Insider and Light-it’s Roundtable By Light-it Imagine a world where cutting-edge advancements converge with a profound understanding of women’s health needs, innovative solutions are designed by and for women, and digital platforms seamlessly connect individuals with tailored resources for their well-being. Seems like an awesome world right? But there is still a long way to go to get there.  FemTech is a fascinating topic, and a lot is going on; this is why we hosted a roundtable with Digital Health Insider, where leading business executives offe ..read more

Light-it is a healthcare development agency that empowers digital health startups, clinics, and medtech companies to ideate, design, and develop custom web & mobile applications that transform the future of healthcare. One of the sponsors of the 2023 edition of the FemTechnology Summit, this post is an op-ed about how to build a digital health product in the women’s health space. One of the industries we enjoy working in the most at Light-It is FemTech… but what is this exactly? FemTech refers to developing technology, software, or digital solutions that address women’s health and wellnes ..read more

Women are 34% more likely than men to experience severe side effects from cancer treatments (for immunotherapy that number rises to a 50% increased risk of serious side effects). A study conducted by a major cancer centre found that cancer treatment often fails to take into account the personal needs of women: 90% of men undergoing brachytherapy for prostate cancer were asked about their sexual health vs 10% of the women undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Sexual function was discussed with 89% of men versus only 13% of women at their initial radiation therapy consultation. 81 ..read more

As children, we absorb the stories we are told.  Fairytales. Marvel superheroes. We soak up their meanings and structures as facts and organizing principles. As a society we function in the same way: we live guided by unseen codes and hidden systems. The problem with hidden systems? They hold us back without our ever even knowing it. That’s certainly the case with #womenshealth — what we fund impacts what we know, what we study and the therapies that come to market. The lack of funding in women’s health is why, even today, w ..read more

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Since 2018, BioInnovation Institute (BII) – a not-for profit foundation located in Copenhagen, Denmark, has operated acceleration programs for translational research projects and early-stage start-ups. One of their key thematic areas is women’s health and gender medicine. In this guest blog post, Cathrine Nygaard Christensen, Innovation Manager, Women’s Health Initiative, introduces the BII philosophy of building a supportive environment and explains how this accelerates the process for start-ups: At BII, we focus on bridging the gap between academia and commercialization. We know that being ..read more

Ever since ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) became a governmental priority, people have increasingly started thinking about the under-representation of women in business, science and clinical trials, resulting for instance in the passing of the EU’s landmark 40% quota for women on corporate boards. However there are still no frameworks for quantifying how much and who supports women’s health. This is a missed opportunity. Working women can boost productivity, increase economic diversification and income equality, and support economic resilience. For example, if all women did not or cou ..read more

Women are 34% more likely than men to experience severe side effects from cancer treatments. But why is this the case? Research suggests that gender stereotypes may play a role in the cancer experience. A study conducted by a major cancer center found that cancer treatment often fails to take into account the personal needs of women. To improve support and recovery, the holistic and unique needs of women must be considered. Let’s look at some numbers: In a high-volume cancer center, 9 out of 10 men undergoing brachytherapy for prostate cancer were asked about their sexual health, compared to ..read more

Gender is a crucial factor in determining health and illness. Doctors who are aware of gender can contribute to equity and equality in health, ultimately aiming towards better health for both men and women. However, gender has been largely ignored in medicine, which is still largely based on the white, 70 kg male model. This lack of gender awareness can be felt in research and education, severely impacting women’s health worldwide. For example, optimal doses of heart failure medication differ between women and men. Women typically require half the dose of men, and increasing the dosage can le ..read more