Latest news with #MaaikeSteinebach
Tatler Asia
7 hours ago
- Health
- Tatler Asia
‘We have very little data on Asian women's health': Why femtech innovation is urgently needed
The research deficit crisis We only have very little data and research on the female body, even less on Asian women. - Maaike Steinebach - The global research deficit in women's health creates particular challenges across Asia. Women weren't required in clinical studies until 1994, and animal testing was conducted exclusively on male animals until 2014. 'Earlier, women were treated like little men. Also, a lot of research was mainly done on white women. Even now, lots of the research is not disaggregated based on sex. So we only have very little data and research on the female body, less on Asian women, African American women, African women and even less than that on mixed-race women,' says Steinebach. This creates what Steinebach describes as a cascade effect: 'This research gap leads to a lack of knowledge about their unique health needs and creates a care gap—the care women need and what they can get from the existing healthcare system—which in turn results in a treatment gap.' Fertility, mental health and an ageing population Above Beyond reproductive health, femtech can identify several critical areas, such as mental health support and brain health support There are several promising areas of opportunity in the femtech space in Asia, and obviously menstruation, reproductive health and maternal care are critical areas that need to be addressed. But beyond this, there is also a substantial gap in mental health support. 'Mental health support tailored for women, who are two times more prone to depression and mental health issues than men due to their hormones, is increasingly important,' Steinebach says. She adds that menopause and ageing-related health solutions are massively underserved markets, as women in Asia are now outliving men and their global peers. 'Due to the lack of knowledge and conversation about these topics, many women navigate these life stages without adequate resources.' Beyond reproductive health, Steinebach identifies critical areas: 'The integration of technology in health education and awareness can empower women to take charge of their health, creating numerous opportunities for innovative startups in the sexual health space (for example HPV), heart health space (globally the no 1 cause of death for women) and brain health space (two-third of all global Alzheimer patients are women).' The economic case Every dollar invested in women's health generates $3 in GDP. - Maaike Steinebach - The business case extends beyond healthcare outcomes. Steinebach presents compelling data to stakeholders: 'I work with governments to show them how every dollar invested in women's health generates $3 in GDP, so taking care of women is not just good for women, but also good for business and the economy.' This supports investment for corporates looking to 'attract or retain talent or to meet their ESG goals, for insurance companies to provide better-suited products to meet the lifecycle of women.' Opportunity for Hong Kong in the femtech space Hong Kong's strategic position offers unique advantages in the femtech sector. As a gateway to mainland China and Southeast Asia, locally developed solutions could serve hundreds of millions of women across the region. 'By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, governments, healthcare providers and tech innovators in Asia, we can create a supportive ecosystem that drives positive change in women's health across Asia,' Steinebach says.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
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.'
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
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.'
Tatler Asia
22-04-2025
- Health
- Tatler Asia
The most important conversations about women's health will be happening in Asia
A global women's health summit in Hong Kong will bring together some of the world's brightest minds in science, healthcare and femtech to address this neglected area of modern medicine and highlight the business of women's health Renowned clinicians, cutting-edge tech founders, femtech leaders and influential figures in women's health are converging in Hong Kong this June for the Women's Health in Focus global summit, a groundbreaking event poised to redefine and rewrite the future of women's health. Hosted by Front & Female Awards nominee Maaike Steinebach's Femtech Future and Gen.T honouree Anca Griffith's OM Health Hub, this two-day summit will take place at the Asia Society Hong Kong on June 16 and 17. The summit addresses a critical and long-standing disparity: women's health has been historically under-researched, underfunded and underserved. Statistics paint a stark picture: over 700 diseases take between three and seven years longer to diagnose in women compared to men; women spend 25 per cent more time than men in 'poor health'; and 80 per cent of drug withdrawals are attributed to adverse side effects in women, highlighting the research gap in women's health. Furthermore, only 2 per cent of private funding is allocated to women's health initiatives, highlighting a significant investment gap. See also: Lindsay Davis and Maaike Steinebach on femtech in Asia and the startups to watch
