Improving Women's Healthcare By Way Of Edinburgh Looking to Scotland's model as an example of how to innovate.

By Kathrin Folkendt Edited by Bill Schulz

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As the founder of Femtech Insider, I've been watching women's health innovation for many years and the most common question I get is: "If there was one thing you could fix in women's healthcare, what would it be?"

It's complicated.

To evoke lasting change it takes the proverbial village to come together, which is why I believe we need to spend more time and resources on development.

Related: Here Are the Benefits of a People-First Small Business

An ecosystem for change

Last year, Scotland became the first country in the U.K. to introduce a women's health plan and to launch a concentrated effort to tackle inequalities.

"Our vision for women's health is an ambitious one – and rightly so", shared Maree Todd, the then member of Scottish Parliament and Minister of Women's Health and Sport. "It is clear that wider change must happen to ensure all our health and social care services meet the needs of all women, everywhere."

In December 2021 the Campbell Report, was published by a working group from across the Scottish life sciences and healthtech ecosystem with the goal to explore how to attract increased levels of private investments in the sector and work toward the ambition to become the fastest growing health innovation life sciences cluster in Europe.

Just last month, the Women's Health Innovation Forum Scotland, a conference organized by women's health focused VC fund Goddess Gaia Ventures brought together stakeholders from private sector, government, universities and research institutions who discussed how to address health inequities to benefit the health of women and other underrepresented groups in Scotland and beyond.

Opening the event Todd encouraged collaboration, stating: "It is critical we streamline innovation into the NHS and social care with women's and children's health as priority areas for innovation."

Related: A Single Mom's Tips for Launching and Growing a Business

A blueprint for collaboration

Among the big issues besides the lack of funding for women's health, is a lack of inclusion of females in medical research, which leads to data gaps and no efficient treatments. The lack of awareness for health issues overall, among women themselves, providers and those designing public policy continues to be an issue.

"Together, we are working to address inequalities in all aspects of health that women are facing", Todd says. "The Women's Health Plan signals our ambition and determination to see change for women in Scotland, for their health and for their role in society. Innovation and technology are key to that ambition."

It is now a matter of implementation, patience and funding to make lasting change happen and collaboratively create what could be a blueprint for lasting change.

Related: World Health Day 2022: How This Fitness Trainer Overcame Thyroid, PCOD, Depression And Body Shaming

Kathrin Folkendt

Founder & CEO of Femtech Insider

Kathrin Folkendt is the founder and CEO of Femtech Insider, the leading global platform dedicated to femtech and women’s health innovation, and a co-founder of PERLA Health, a digital health startup with the mission to reinvent care for women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

From Elite Athletes to Tech Titans — Discover the Surprising $100-Million Habit That Leads to Extraordinary Success

Success comes from mastering focus, eliminating distractions and prioritizing what truly matters.

Business News

'I Want the Best People on Our Teams': Meta Is Laying Off More Than 3,000, CEO Mark Zuckerberg Calls for 'Extensive Performance-Based Cuts' — Read the Memo

In an internal memo shared on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said it's "going to be an intense year" at the company.

Growing a Business

How Meta Generated $32 Billion in Ad Revenue Last Quarter — and How You Can Create Million-Dollar Weekends Using the Same Strategies

Meta's staggering $32 billion quarterly ad revenue isn't just about size; it's about strategy, systems and execution as well.