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FemTech Program

Department of Informatics and Health Data Science
For too long, women's health has been overlooked in research and technology. We're changing that. Our FemTech Program brings together brilliant minds from health care, tech, and business to create an ecosystem and solutions that work for women's bodies and lives.

Why It Matters

Women make up half the population, yet they spend 25% of their lives in poor health.* For much of medical history, their needs have been overlooked — women weren’t even required to be included in clinical trials until 1993.** Despite making 80% of health care decisions for themselves and their families, conditions that affect billions of women receive minimal funding and limited technological innovation.**** 

What We're Building

We’re building a future where women’s health is prioritized through technology that works for women. We’re training the next generation of innovators to see and seize opportunities in women’s health, while fostering industry partnerships that connect researchers with companies to bring solutions to market faster. And at the heart of it all is a community of changemakers united by a shared commitment.

The Challenges We're Tackling

We’re working to improve the social stigma that surrounds many women's health issues and advocating for more dedicated studies to advance innovation in this field. Much of today’s tech is still designed without considering women’s specific needs, further widening the gap in effective solutions. Additionally, we’re improving awareness of the FemTech industry and the critical role it can play.

“We see this as a call to action and we think that technology is the answer to bridge the gap between what women need and what is available to them.”

Mairead Moloney, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Informatics and Health Data Science at the Miller School

Join the Movement

 Whether you're a student, health care provider, tech innovator, or industry partner, there's a place for you in our community. Let's build a healthier future for all women.

*Source: World Economic Forum in collaboration with The McKinsey Health Institute (MHI), “Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies” Insight Report, January 2024

** Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Revitalization Act of 1993 Public Law 103-43; Women and Health Research: Ethical and Legal Issues of Including Women in Clinical Studies: Volume I

*** Source: U.S. Department of Labor, “General Facts on Women and Job Based Health

**** Source: McKinsey Health Institute, “Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies” January 2024