The Leading Edge of Women’s Health: Trends & Future Prospects
It is now widely known—both inside and outside the pharma sector—that women’s health is a historically neglected field. This is largely due to the exclusion of women in medical research until only recently.
Fortunately for us today, there are increased efforts to equalize the healthcare landscape. We are starting to see more research in women’s health issues (in general and for specific conditions) as well as the development of products and therapies for women.
In this post, we take a look at the top healthcare trends and future predictions for the women’s health space, including research areas, the femtech movement, and changing care pathways.
Women’s Health: A Growing Market
Investing in women’s health is just good business.
Recent reports show that the women’s health industry is estimated to reach $60 billion by 2027, with a healthy 15.6% CAGR. This growth is driven by advancements in pregnancy and nursing care as well as the development of novel products, including diagnostics and drugs.
And yet, more work needs to be done in terms of funded research in the areas of women’s health as well as 2S/LGBTQ+ people.
This market opportunity shouldn’t be overlooked, especially by big and small pharma, biotech researchers, and medtech companies.
Hormonal Health and Beyond
Hormones are one of the most under-appreciated aspects of women’s health, both from a research and treatment sense. Fortunately, hormone health has been a significant area of focus in recent research, including for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and menopause.
There is also heightened interest in exercise science and sports nutrition for women based on gender-based differences in the impact of hormones and the menstrual cycle on performance and body composition.
Other hormone-based areas of interest that are now getting their due include pregnancy and nursing, sleep, mood, energy, sexual health, and stress. For example, there is a recent program through Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) called the womenmind program which aims to address the gap in bran and psychiatric health research for women and gender-diverse people.
As the movement continues, we expect to see increased drug development, clinical research, and marketed products in these areas.
The Rise of Femtech
Femtech, the much buzzed about field at the intersection of healthcare and technology, is playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing women’s health.
Innovations have focused on tracking using medical devices and wearable technology, as well as more advanced diagnostics like hormone analysis through saliva. Even period blood testing has been marketed to enable women to learn from their menstrual cycle.
It’s anticipated that the closer companies can get to the patient, the greater their chance of success. This perspective will prove to be important as the number of new entrants grows and there is more competition.
Evolving Healthcare Pathways
Looking ahead, medical care pathways are expected to differ between women and men based on a growing understanding of sex-based differences in symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments.
Specific examples cited in one article include cardiovascular disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation, among others.
A movement toward care based on sex will help improve healthcare outcomes rather than relying a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while challenges persist, the future of women’s health appears promising with increasing awareness, research focus, and technological advancements driving positive change. As the healthcare industry continues to adapt, women are set to benefit from more personalized and effective care, marking a significant step toward achieving equality in healthcare.
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