What You Should Know:
– Talkspace, an online therapy company, and Ovia Health, a digital health solution focused on women’s health, have joined forces to create the Women’s Health Coalition for Digital Solutions.
– The Women’s Health Coalition for Digital Solutions, launched on the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, unites Talkspace and Ovia Health with a collective of prominent women’s health companies.
A Collaborative Effort to Empower Women’s Health
The Women’s Health Coalition aims to leverage technology, innovation, and collaboration to improve women’s health and well-being. The founding members include Conceive (fertility support), Evernow (menopause care), FitOn (fitness and wellness), Nurx (online healthcare for women), Cove (online dermatology), and Nutrium (personalized nutrition counseling).
This coalition will work together through its member platforms to achieve several key goals:
- Streamlined Women’s Health Services: The coalition will facilitate communication and collaboration among member platforms, with the goal of integrating various women’s health services and making them more accessible through employer-sponsored health benefits.
- Workplace Advocacy: The coalition will advocate for workplaces that prioritize women’s health equity and provide comprehensive healthcare access, starting with their own employees.
- Empowerment Through Education: Public resources and support will be offered by the coalition to employers and organizations. This aims to empower women to take charge of their health and navigate their wellness journey.
- Breaking the Stigma: The coalition plans to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding women’s health issues through targeted initiatives and thought leadership.
- Fostering Innovation: The coalition will actively encourage research and development in women’s health technology, promoting further advancements in the field.
The Need for Change in Women’s Healthcare
The statistics behind the coalition’s mission paint a concerning picture. Employed women in the US spend an estimated $15 billion more annually on out-of-pocket healthcare costs compared to men. Furthermore, a significant number of women (over one-third) report delaying necessary medical care due to high costs.
Closing the gender gap in healthcare has the potential to significantly improve women’s health outcomes and boost the economy. A McKinsey Health Institute report suggests that by 2040, this could translate to a nearly two-thirds reduction in the time women spend in poor health and add up to $1 trillion annually to the US economy.
“Talkspace and the charter members of the Women’s Health Coalition have come together to help create a world where every woman has access to high-quality, holistic healthcare tailored to her unique needs,” said Natalie Cummins, Chief Business Officer at Talkspace. “Recognizing the connectedness of mental and physical health, as well as the market demand for comprehensive women’s health solutions, the Coalition furthers our mission to make mental health care more accessible by collaborating with the preeminent women's health leaders in the digital health space.”