Recent findings from a comprehensive review have highlighted biases in commonly used medical devices and technologies that can harm people of color. These include optical medical devices like pulse oximeters, AI-assisted devices, and polygenic risk scores (PRS) in genomics. Biases In Medical Devices The review was initiated by the UK’s former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, and conducted by a panel of experts. “Making sure the healthcare system works for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, is paramount to our values as a nation,” Junior Health Minister Andrew Stephenson told The Guardian. “It supports our
UK-based Black woman-founded digital health startup SökerData, has been awarded a share of a £6.2 million ($7.8 million) grant from Innovate UK. SökerData Research has found that people of European genetic ancestry represent a disproportionate 80% of participants in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). By contrast, only 2% of participants have African genetic ancestry. This imbalance has profound implications, especially in diseases like breast cancer, where outcomes vary significantly across ethnicities. SökerData’s project focuses on building a diverse biomarker database, a critical resource in the realm of medical research. Biomarkers are
Black-owned London-based startup Koalaa has recently closed a significant funding round of $1.2 million (£925,000) for its world-first soft prosthetic arms. Koalaa Established in 2020 by Imperial College alumnus Nate Macabuag, Koalaa has been dedicated to addressing three critical challenges faced by the limb difference community worldwide. These are access, affordability, and comfort, with their creations crafted from breathable fabric, offering a lightweight alternative to conventional prosthetics. Macabuag was named as part of the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe Class of 2021. His design through Koalaa has proven to especially
Black-owned Diabetes Digital has launched its innovative virtual nutrition counseling service, expanding access to 23 states. Meet The Founders Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez founded Diabetes Digital as an online platform for virtual nutrition counseling dedicated to diabetes and prediabetes. CEO Jones and COO Lopez are nationally recognized Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. The pair also co-founded Food Heaven – an online platform and podcast offering resources on cooking, intuitive eating, and body respect. The Diabetes Digital team comprises Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators, bringing extensive expertise to users. “Diabetes Digital
Postpartum difficulties and a gap in the wellness industry led LaDonna Welch to create a mental health app, Ebony Notes, designed to affirm the Black community. Meet LaDonna Welch Welch advocates for diversity, equity, representation, personal growth, and inclusion. After giving birth to her second child in 2012, she learned she had postpartum and seasonal depression when she went to a doctor to discuss her symptoms. “They suggested that I speak to someone, and I was in my 30s. At this point, I had never even considered talking to anyone,”
The risk of maternal death from 2019 to 2021 was statistically significantly almost four times higher among Black women and women of color compared with white women. Black women are generally at a greater risk of maternal mortality compared to white women, with many reporting negative experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. We have compiled a list of Black and woman of color-owned apps or platforms that benefit these women during and after pregnancy. Villie – Kimberly Jolasun Villie is on a mission to support expecting and new moms through
Investment firm Compass Diversified has acquired a majority stake in Beatrice Dixon’s plant-derived feminine care brand, The Honey Pot Company. The Honey Pot Co. was founded in 2012, offering products across the feminine hygiene, menstrual, consumer health, and sexual wellness categories. It can be found in more than 33,000 stores across the US, including Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, with annual sales estimated to be around $120 million. The Honey Pot Co.’s distinct approach to product formulation, using plant-derived ingredients and clinically tested formulas, has fostered a loyal and diverse customer base over the years.
A new study by Emagine Solutions Technology suggests that pregnancy apps lack key features to serve modern maternal health needs. Emagine Solutions Technology provides a new level of care for pregnant women by combining handheld ultrasound and remote patient monitoring software to improve maternal health outcomes. The platform was developed by Courtney Williams, who in 2021 won a second prize award for Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Initiative. The investment firm Black Ambition, founded by Pharrell in 2020, is dedicated to supporting Black and Latinx business owners. Williams told AfroTech about her complications following childbirth during the
DigitalHealth.London has launched their Leap program dedicated to championing inclusivity and supporting founders from diverse backgrounds in digital health. Digital Health uses information and communications technologies in medicine and other health progressions to manage illnesses and health risks. According to a report from The Treasury Committee in 2021, less than 2% of all venture capital funding went to Black and ethnic minority-led businesses. The DigitalHealth.London aims to sustain and expand an active digital health market in London by helping to overcome challenges that hold innovators back. Therefore, the program is open to founders from
Orka, a Chicago-based health tech firm, is redefining the hearing aid industry with its innovative Orka hearing aid. Founded in 2018 by Ben Sun, Chauncey Lu, Linkai Li, and Xinke Liu, Orka aims not only to enhance hearing but also to make hearing aids as user-friendly and desirable as AirPods. Birthed from personal experience During a family visit to China in 2017, Ben Sun, CEO, observed his grandmother struggling with her hearing. He told Forbes that after spending $1000 on hearing aids for her, she stopped using them after a
