New women's health summit in Hong Kong highlights femtech
It's not news that around the world, women are disproportionately hampered by regressive state policies and lack of funding, with either or both restricting their rights to medical access, but there's also an increasing number of women-led start-ups and companies seeking to challenge the status quo.
To address the issues, Hong Kong will host the inaugural Women's Health in Focus: A Global Summit, on June 16 and 17. As Hong Kong's first large-scale symposium dedicated to women's health, the event will bring together 40 international leaders across healthcare, technology, investment and entrepreneurship at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre to share their experiences and kick-start discussion on topics from women's longevity, brain and heart health, disease prevention and workplace wellness.
The growing field of
femtech , or women's health technology, is a focus of the summit, with some of the biggest movers showcasing global best practices in maternal health patient support,
menstrual products , gynaecological devices and solutions in fertility.
Maaike Steinebach wants to elevate women's health as a strategic priority in boardrooms and policy agendas across Asia. Photo: Handout
'For too long, women's health has been marginalised in clinical trials, tech development and healthcare design,' says Anca Griffiths, summit co-founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based edu-tech company
OM Health Hub
Maaike Steinebach , femtech consultant and fellow summit co-founder also based in Hong Kong, wants to elevate women's health as a strategic priority in boardrooms and policy agendas across Asia. Building momentum for investment in women's health 'as a cornerstone of economic resilience and innovation', she says, 'means more funding for research, more tailored health employee benefits for women in the workplace, and a clearer understanding that equitable healthcare isn't just a moral imperative, it's a growth driver'.
Speakers include Dr Christopher Asandra, a renowned longevity expert who will share the tools and protocols he uses to treat Hollywood's elite; Dr Lisa Larkin, a women's health expert who will present a road map for disease prevention; and Dr Cassandra Szoeke, a leading brain-health researcher and author of Secrets of Women's Healthy Aging (2021). The summit will also host the global launch of the Women's Longevity Blueprint, a pioneering initiative designed to deliver targeted tools and strategies to help women prevent disease and extend their lifespan.
'Women's health is not only a personal issue; it's an economic one,' says Steinebach. 'For every dollar we invest in women's health, we get three dollars' worth of GDP. When we overlook women's specific health needs, we lose out on productivity, innovation and inclusive progress.'
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