‘We have very little data on Asian women’s health’: Why femtech innovation is urgently needed

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.”

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 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.”

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.

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