Women’s Health Look back on 2023 and Predictions for 2024
The calendar has just turned and we felt more optimistic in 2023 about the future for women’s health. Looking to 2024, we’re even more excited about what’s to come. There are 4 highlights from 2023 and 4 predictions for 2024 that top our list here at Eve Was Framed.
2023 Highlights
There were more medications available to address needs for women at all stages of life including:
A pill for postpartum depression
New legislation provided enhanced protection in the workplace. The PUMP Act expanded protection breastfeeding parents. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act went in to effect creating more opportunities for accommodations at work for birthing parents.
Research breakthroughs in a few key areas of women’s health brought the promise of a brighter future. Doctor’s found a single hormone that primarily causes severe morning sickness.There were promising studies in the use of AI and breast health. Researchers found a potential link between a specific bacteria and endometriosis.
2024 Predictions
Funding will continue to flow into women’s health
The past two years have seen incredible and much needed growth in investment into women’s health, maternal health, menopause care and other unmet needs.
After years, well decades really, of lack of investment and research into the unique needs of women’s health across all lifestages, investors from venture capital and beyond have realized there is big business potential in these unmet needs.
We were excited to see four of our favorites in a recent Business Insider article on 25 startups to watch in 2024.
Equip Health - virtual care for children, teens and adults with disordered eating
Maven Clinic - virtual care for women’s and family health
Midi Health - virtual care for women 40+
Caraway - telehealth services to meet Gen Z’s needs in mental, physical and reproductive health
As women prioritize our health consumer products will follow
Women are an economic powerhouse spending group in healthcare and health related products. We make those purchasing decisions for ourselves and are often the decision maker in care for others like children or elder parents. The market will be worth almost $80billion by 2030. That will continue to translate into consumer products designed for and by women. This is going to come from new names and established ones.
Everlywell is already marketing at-home kits for women’s health, fertility and perimenopause.
Vaginal microbiome isn’t even a term we knew a few years ago and now Evvy has at home test kits for it. Nike is bringing products to the market to prevent period leaks while you’re active.
Health will continue to be defined more holistically
The trend to reduce stigmas and think about our health in broader terms and beyond medical interventions will accelerate in 2024.
The walls between mental health, physical health and financial health will further breakdown. We will continue to hear and talk more about formerly taboo subjects like periods, menopause, and neurodiversity. The impact of nutrition, sleep and mindfulness on how we define and support our health will grow.
Access to healthcare is just the beginning of this trend. Access to paid family leave and appropriate childcare will be issues that will come more into the forefront.
Inclusion of workplace benefits that support mental health and support for menopause will start as differentiators for employees just like fertility was a few years ago.
2024 is an election year and reproductive rights will be an issue
The election will be an unavoidable topic in 2024 - as it should be. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the need to advocate for reproductive rights will continue in 2024. The White House established an initiative to focus on women’s health issues and Vice President Harris is starting a tour to make reproductive rights a central issue.