The Critical Role of Women in Health Innovation:
Global Women Asia (GWA) is proud to announce the formation of the Women in Health Innovation Council. The Council, composed of health and business leaders with Asian perspectives, will guide our efforts throughout the year to amplify the voices of leaders and spotlight those driving innovation in healthcare. The Council will help GWA spotlight leaders and organizations advancing health innovation through AI and technology, public policy, community-based best practices from around the world, new ventures, mental health, wellness integration, and closing the gender gap in healthcare.
Anuradha Das Mathur, Samarth Care (India)
Piya Hanvoravongchai, National Health Foundation (Thailand)
Kam Shing Kwang, JP Morgan and Women CEOs (Hong Kong, China)
Clarence Lam, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (USA)
Shriya Srinivasan, Harvard University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (USA)
In 2025, in addition to our signature Women in Health Innovation Fellowship (please nominate fellows), GWA will profile role models, feature best practices, and convene community events. Below is our thinking and approach to this year’s programming.
Diverse Leadership in Health Innovation: Shaping A Better Future of Wellness, Mental Health, and Technology
As we face complex challenges in wellness and mental health, diverse perspectives are crucial for crafting innovative solutions that address the varied needs of communities. “Leaders from different backgrounds—whether cultural, gender, socioeconomic, or professional—bring unique insights that enrich the development of technologies and strategies aimed at improving healthcare outcomes,” commented Kam Shing Kwang, Chair of North Asia and CEO of Hong Kong, J.P. Morgan, who is also a leader of the group, Women CEOs. For example, women make up roughly 70% of the global health workforce, yet their representation in leadership positions and decision-making roles within health innovation remains underwhelming. By fostering diversity in leadership roles, we can ensure that health innovations are more equitable, accessible, and sensitive to the diverse populations they aim to serve. Whether in the creation of mental health support platforms, personalized wellness programs, or cutting-edge medical technologies, expansive leadership is key to shaping a future where health advancements benefit all, reducing disparities and fostering a healthier, more connected world.
Women's and Reproductive Health: Tailored Approaches to Innovation
According to the McKinsey Health Institute, addressing the women’s health gap could add years to life and life to years—and potentially boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040. Women’s health, from menstruation and reproductive health to pregnancy, menopause, and chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases, women face health challenges that require tailored solutions. However, much of medical research and health technology has historically failed to address these specific concerns.
Advancements in menstrual health technology and medication, including smart wearables that track cycles and hormonal care, are being designed to empower women with data to make informed decisions about their health. Similarly, new initiatives are breaking barriers in maternal health by using AI to predict and prevent complications during pregnancy, potentially saving lives on a global scale.
Mental Health, Wellness, and Integration of AI and Technology
Mental health remains a stigmatized issue worldwide, with challenges like depression, anxiety, and postpartum disorders affecting many but often going unaddressed due to societal expectations and limited resources. Women innovators are helping to break down these barriers through AI-powered apps and chatbots offering real-time mental health support, while cultural attitudes shift toward greater openness and accessibility.
In the wellness industry, technology is advancing personalized approaches to well-being, with wearables and apps tracking sleep, nutrition, and exercise. These innovations also integrate mental health, focusing on stress management and emotional well-being alongside physical health. Startups are designing AI and IoT-based solutions that address more targeted health needs. “The growing aging population in many societies also poses new challenges to healthcare delivery: from home care, nursing and long-term care, and care giver support and workforce, to government policies and financing,” remarked Anuradah Das Mathur who co-founded Samarth Care, India’s largest comprehensive service provider for the elderly.
AI is transforming healthcare by enabling more accurate diagnoses, early detection, and personalized treatments. This is especially impactful in addressing health issues that disproportionately affect women, like breast cancer, reproductive health, and heart disease. AI is also improving the diagnosis of under-researched conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, facilitating early intervention and making critical health solutions more accessible.
Community Health and Global Impact
Progress in public and global health, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities, needs unfettered support. Innovators from diverse backgrounds are working to address health disparities in their communities—whether through improving maternal health in developing countries or advancing public health education on mental well-being in marginalized urban areas.
“Understanding the needs of communities is instrumental in shaping policies, creating public health campaigns, and advocating for better healthcare access,” noted Dr. Clarence Lam who directs preventive medicine residency program at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, also a state senator of Maryland who champions for diverse community voices. In global health, many innovators have spearheaded initiatives such as improving access to vaccines, building health infrastructures in rural areas, and increasing health literacy. Their contributions have been essential in battling the global health crises of our time, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The fast-shifting landscape of international development assistance is creating unprecedented challenges for global health in Southeast Asian countries, where I work. I hope the GWA's community will be an opportunity for meaningful collaboration to address these challenges,” said Piya Hanvoravongchai, a Harvard-educated global health expert with the National Health Foundation in Thailand.
Conclusion: The Need for Highlighting Diverse Leadership in Health Innovation
As the landscape of health, wellness, and technology continues to evolve, it is clear that the inclusion of diverse leadership and best practices in health innovation is no longer just beneficial—it is imperative. Individuals’ lived experiences, coupled with their expertise in technology, mental health, wellness, and global health, bring new perspectives that are essential for developing more comprehensive and effective healthcare solutions.
As we move forward, the health innovation sector must continue to prioritize diverse perspectives, not only to ensure that women’s health needs are addressed but also to build a more equitable and accessible healthcare system for all. By empowering more innovators of different perspectives to lead in this space, we can unlock a future where health innovations are not only smarter but also more inclusive and tailored to the diverse needs of the global population.
“I’m looking forward to working with this community of innovators to create and multiply impact,” said Professor Shriya Srinivasan of Harvard University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences who also founded Project Prana, a nonprofit that fosters healthcare innovation from classroom to clinic.
