Women face significant disparities in health due to many factors. The challenges include a lack of research focused on women’s health, not enough funding dedicated to innovative solutions and treatments designed for women, and problems with access that stem from reimbursement inequities and the need for greater education among providers and patients.
These were the topics explored during women’s health-focused program connected to the Top of Mind Summit: Life Sciences. Organized by UPMC Enterprises and the Center for Connected Medicine at UPMC (CCM), Women’s Health @ Top of Mind brought together key stakeholders from pharma, biotech, care delivery, insurance, research, and venture capital. The program was produced in partnership with Magee-Womens Research Institute, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM), and Lightstone Ventures.
The purpose of the event was clear: How do we innovate in all areas of health care to ensure equitable health and access for women? The approximately 70 participants focused their discussions on solutions that can improve research and sex-based research, funding to translate scientific discoveries into new products that benefit women, and access for women’s health care and they were urged to pursue change with a sense of urgency.
“Women’s health is critically important to human health,” Michael Annichine, CEO of the Magee-Womens Research Institute, said during the event. “We have to understand what we can do today to make tomorrow better. It won’t happen overnight, but we can start to make a difference by working together as a network of people who advocate for women’s health.”
While it is a necessary area of innovation and research, women’s health spans far beyond only reproductive health. For example, cardiovascular disease is the number one reason for death in women, and women also have a higher risk for certain autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. Speakers urged everyone to be invested in women’s health, as it is a keystone of health care for all people.
Panel discussions were based on a holistic approach to women’s health with topics focused on cardiovascular disease, the business case for supporting investments in women’s health, and advancing access in medical education, care pathways, and medical reimbursement.
Some of the key topics that were addressed throughout the event were:
- Research and clinical development affecting women’s health.
- Attention to biological gender differences in medical treatment.
- Need for increased awareness and alignment among stakeholders.
- Investment to drive innovation in women’s care.
- Gender differences in health care access.
- Increased representation of women in clinical trials.
For many of the panelists and experts, they were drawn to women’s health based on personal connections – knowing friends and family faced with such challenges, or as women health specialists keenly aware of the disparities in the health care field. Many advances have been made over the last 20 years, but attendees agree there is still a long road ahead to equity.
Attendees were encouraged to continue the momentum with key action items:
- Communicate real-world statistics about the realities facing women in health care.
- Advocate publicly and engage media sources.
- Leverage existing data more fully to provide better care for women.
- Pursue change with a sense of urgency.
“We need to keep this momentum going,” said Ketki Karanam, vice president of ventures at UPMC Enterprises. “Our takeaways should not only be awareness of these issues, but we must also individually and collectively think about how we can drive change forward.”
Watch for a recap report highlighting the pre-event program and key learnings, which UPMC Enterprises and the CCM will publish in the coming months.
Next Steps
- See the full program from Women’s Health @ Top of Mind.
- Read about the 2024 Top of Mind Summit: Life Sciences.
- Learn more about how UPMC Enterprises is driving innovation in women’s health.
- Hear women leaders at UPMC Enterprises discuss how they’re redefining women’s health for the future.
