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Building a better future for women’s health: The role of digital innovation
The landscape of women’s health is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by digital innovation.
This shift is more than just a technological upgrade; it’s a profound change that promises better healthcare outcomes, enhanced accessibility, and personalised treatment options for women everywhere.
From mobile health apps to telemedicine, digital tools are bridging gaps in healthcare and offering new ways to monitor, diagnose, and treat health conditions.
These innovations are particularly significant in women’s health, where specific needs have often been overlooked or underfunded.
Now, with the power of technology, we are witnessing a surge in solutions tailored to women’s health issues, making healthcare more inclusive and effective.
Empowering Women Through Health Apps
Health apps are revolutionising how women manage their health. These digital platforms offer everything from menstrual cycle tracking to pregnancy monitoring and mental health support.
With the ease of smartphone access, women can now track their health data in real-time, identify patterns, and make informed decisions about their well-being.
These apps also foster community and support networks.
Women can connect with others facing similar health issues, share experiences, and receive advice, creating a supportive environment that extends beyond traditional medical settings.
Telemedicine: Breaking Barriers
Telemedicine has emerged as a powerful tool in women’s health, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas.
By enabling virtual consultations, telemedicine eliminates the need for travel, making it easier for women to access healthcare professionals.
This convenience is especially beneficial for those with busy schedules or mobility issues.
Telemedicine offers a level of privacy and comfort that traditional in-person visits may not.
Women can discuss sensitive health issues from the privacy of their homes, leading to more open and honest communication with healthcare providers.
Wearable Technology: Monitoring Health on the Go
Wearable technology is another game-changer in women’s health.
Devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches now come equipped with features that monitor vital signs, track physical activity, and even offer menstrual cycle predictions.
By integrating wearable technology with health apps, women can have a comprehensive view of their health.
This integration allows for better tracking of symptoms and more personalised healthcare plans, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence in Women’s Health
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a crucial role in advancing women’s health.
AI algorithms can analyse vast amounts of health data to identify patterns and predict potential health issues.
For instance, AI is being used to improve breast cancer detection by analysing mammograms more accurately than traditional methods.
AI also enhances personalised medicine by tailoring treatments to individual needs.
By considering genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, AI can help healthcare providers develop more effective treatment plans.
Spreading Awareness with Digital Publications
Creating awareness about women’s health is essential, and digital magazine makers are pivotal in this effort.
These platforms allow the creation of interactive magazines that engage readers with rich multimedia content, making health information more accessible and engaging.
Interactive magazines can cover a wide range of topics, from reproductive health to mental wellness, providing valuable insights and practical advice.
By leveraging digital formats, these magazines can reach a broader audience, ensuring that more women are informed about their health options and empowered to make better decisions.
Genomics and Personalised Medicine
Genomics is opening new doors in personalised medicine for women.
By studying a person’s genetic makeup, healthcare providers can predict the risk of certain diseases and tailor prevention strategies accordingly.
This approach is particularly beneficial in women’s health, where conditions like breast and ovarian cancer have strong genetic links.
Personalised medicine goes beyond genetics, considering individual lifestyles and environments.
This holistic approach ensures that treatments are more effective and side effects are minimised. For women, this means more accurate diagnoses and targeted therapies, leading to better health outcomes.
Mental Health: Digital Therapies and Support
Digital innovation is also transforming mental health care for women. Online therapy platforms and mental health apps provide accessible and affordable support for various mental health issues, from anxiety to postpartum depression.
Women can access therapy from the comfort of their homes, at times that suit their schedules.
This flexibility encourages more women to seek help and maintain consistent mental health support. Digital platforms often provide anonymity, which can reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care.
Reproductive Health: Enhancing Fertility and Pregnancy Care
Reproductive health is a critical area where digital innovation is making a significant impact.
Fertility apps and telemedicine consultations offer new ways for women to monitor their reproductive health, track ovulation cycles, and receive expert advice on conception and pregnancy.
Pregnancy care has also benefited from digital tools.
Expecting mothers can use apps to track their pregnancy progress, access educational resources, and connect with healthcare providers for virtual check-ups.
Chronic Disease Management
Managing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension is challenging, but digital tools are making it easier.
Health apps and wearable devices help women monitor their conditions, track medication adherence, and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Digital platforms also facilitate better communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Women can share their health data with doctors in real-time, allowing for timely adjustments to treatment plans.
Educating the Next Generation
Digital innovation is also playing a crucial role in educating the next generation about women’s health.
Interactive platforms and online courses provide young women with accurate and comprehensive health information.
These resources cover topics like menstrual health, sexual education, and mental well-being.
By making health education engaging and accessible, digital tools empower young women to take charge of their health from an early age.
This early intervention helps establish healthy habits and awareness, leading to better health outcomes in the long term.
The Future of Women’s Health
The future of women’s health looks promising with ongoing digital innovation. Emerging technologies like virtual reality and advanced AI are set to revolutionise healthcare further.
These innovations will continue to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare for women, addressing their unique needs more effectively.
As technology continues to evolve, the potential for improving women’s health outcomes grows.
By embracing these digital tools, women can look forward to a future where healthcare is more personalised, efficient, and supportive, ensuring better health and well-being for all.
Menstrual Health: Tracking and Insights
Digital tools are revolutionising menstrual health management.
Period tracking apps enable women to log their cycles, predict ovulation, and monitor symptoms, providing valuable insights into their reproductive health.
These apps offer personalised reminders for cycle-related activities, such as taking medications or scheduling doctor appointments.
Additionally, menstrual tracking apps often include educational content about menstrual health and wellness.
This information empowers women to understand their bodies better, identify irregularities early, and seek medical advice when necessary.
Nutrition and Fitness: Personalised Plans
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for women’s health, and digital innovation is making it easier to achieve.
Nutrition and fitness apps provide personalised meal plans and exercise routines tailored to individual needs and goals.
These apps consider factors like dietary preferences, fitness levels, and health conditions to create customised plans that are both effective and sustainable.
These apps offer features like calorie tracking, nutrient analysis, and workout tutorials, making it simple for women to stay on top of their health and fitness goals.
By integrating these tools into daily routines, women can improve their physical health, boost energy levels, and enhance overall quality of life.
Summary
Digital innovation is not just a trend but a crucial component in advancing women’s health.
From health apps to AI-driven diagnostics, these technologies offer new opportunities for better health management and improved outcomes.
The future holds exciting possibilities for women’s health, with digital innovation at the forefront.
Embracing these advancements ensures a more inclusive and effective healthcare system, where women receive the care and attention they deserve.
GLP-1 drugs taken before conception were not linked to higher pregnancy risks in new research, which suggested they may even offer some protection.
Women of reproductive age are increasingly prescribed GLP-1 drugs for weight-management support, but the risks and benefits of using them before pregnancy remain poorly understood.
The findings support continuing the use of GLP-1 medicines in women with metabolic risk factors who are considering pregnancy, said Cara Dolin, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and co-author of the research, which was presented at the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine pregnancy meeting in February 2026.
“While there’s more research to be done, this data provides some reassurance that it is not harmful to be taking a GLP-1 if you’re planning a pregnancy, and that having done so may in fact benefit you by optimising your preconception metabolic health.”
The researchers examined electronic medical records for patients with a pre-pregnancy BMI of more than 30 who delivered at more than 20 weeks’ gestation. The data were reviewed for two studies: one assessed the link between pre-pregnancy GLP-1 use and the risk of gestational diabetes, while the second looked at the risk of severe maternal morbidity in patients with obesity.
Women with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other cardiometabolic disorders have a higher risk of pregnancy complications including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stillbirth, caesarean section and other outcomes. While GLP-1 medicines can help manage these conditions, they are contraindicated during pregnancy, and women are typically advised to stop the medication two months before trying to conceive.
However, stopping the drugs can often lead to rebound weight gain or worsening metabolic health. A 2025 study suggested this rebound worsened some pregnancy outcomes, but the risks and benefits are still poorly understood, Dolin said.
“There is a lot we just don’t know, which is why we wanted to look at our experience here with our Cleveland Clinic patients and see whether taking GLP-1 drugs before pregnancy was causing harm or if it was beneficial and helping patients have healthier pregnancies.”
Researchers analysed data for more than 8,000 women who had obesity but did not have diabetes before they became pregnant. They compared outcomes for 208 women who had been prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists before pregnancy with those who had not been prescribed the medication.
Women in the GLP-1 group had more risk factors heading into pregnancy. They tended to be older and have a higher body mass index, higher rates of bariatric surgery and chronic high blood pressure, and present earlier for prenatal care.
However, outcomes for the two groups were similar. Researchers found that the GLP-1 group did not have higher rates of gestational diabetes, severe maternal morbidity or other adverse maternal outcomes, suggesting that the medication may have helped mitigate elevated risk factors.
“I think this is a really important signal, and it may reflect that these patients were able to optimise their metabolic health prior to conception.”
“It shows there’s potential to use these drugs in a more targeted way with patients who are planning a pregnancy and have these different comorbidities and obesity.”
While the findings suggest that using GLP-1 drugs before pregnancy may be beneficial in women with metabolic risk factors, having a plan to stop the medicines before conception is essential, Dolin noted. In some cases, patients may be moved to an alternative medication that is safe for pregnancy and can be used to help manage their metabolic health during pregnancy.
Providers with patients who are taking GLP-1 medicines and planning a pregnancy should consider referral to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for pre-pregnancy counselling.
“We can have a nuanced conversation with the patient about taking the medication, what the benefits are, what the potential risks are, and help them formulate a plan to transition off the medication once they’re ready to start trying to conceive,” she said.
Obesity may be a key driver of rising rates of 11 cancers in adults under 50, a study has found.
The 11 cancers were thyroid, multiple myeloma, liver, kidney, gallbladder, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial, oral, breast and ovarian cancers.
All except oral cancer are known to be linked to excess weight, with researchers saying raised insulin levels and inflammation may play a part.
The findings come from researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research, London and Imperial College London, who analysed national cancer registry data for England from 2001 to 2019.
In England, around 31,000 cancers were diagnosed in people aged 20 to 49 in 2023, equal to roughly one in every 1,000 people. This compares with 244,000 cases in the 50 to 79 age group, where the rate is around one in 100.
Concerns have been growing in recent years over rising rates of cancers such as bowel and ovarian in younger adults.
Among the younger group, breast cancer was the most common, with 8,500 cases, followed by bowel cancer at 3,000 and melanoma skin cancer with 2,800 diagnoses.
For nine of the 11 cancers identified, rates are rising in younger adults but also increasing in older adults, who are much more likely to develop the disease. Bowel and ovarian cancer were the exceptions, rising only in younger age groups.
The researchers found that bowel cancer rates in younger women linked to BMI rose faster, from 0.9 to 1.6 per 100,000 people, than those not linked to BMI, which rose from 6.4 to 9.6 per 100,000 people. Similar patterns were recorded for men.
However, the authors noted that the overall number of cases of BMI-linked bowel cancer in younger women remained lower than those not linked to BMI, suggesting other factors must be contributing to the increase.
Several suspected contributors, including ultra-processed foods, antibiotic use and air pollution, have been proposed in recent years. However, many of these factors have also shown stable or declining trends in the UK, the team said.
Despite the rise in several cancer rates among younger adults over the past two decades, most established risk factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, red or processed meat intake, low fibre diets and lack of exercise, remained stable or even declined in the period leading up to diagnosis.
This suggests these traditional risk factors are unlikely to account for much of the increase in cancer cases.
By contrast, overweight and obesity, which have increased steadily since 1995, could be key factors in the rise in cases. The team suggested that between 2001 and 2019, around 20 per cent of the increase in bowel cancer was explained by increases in BMI over that period.
However, the researchers said rises in BMI alone are not enough to explain the overall increase in cancer among younger adults in England and that there are likely to be other causes.
Data also suggest around 15 per cent of bowel cancer in younger people could be linked to being overweight or obese, with around 40 to 50 per cent in total linked to the combined effect of known risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol and smoking.
Montse García-Closas, professor at the ICR, said more research was needed, but “we cannot wait to act”.
She told a media briefing: “Our main conclusion is that although BMI is our best clue, much of the increase still remains unexplained, and we’ve done some additional analysis that show that most likely what’s missing is not just a single cause unexplained, but it’s likely a combination of multiple factors that act together.”
Amy Berrington, professor at the ICR, said: “Although rates have been increasing, cancer in young people is still a rare disease.”
Marc Gunter, professor at Imperial, said obesity was a known risk factor for around 19 different cancers.
He added: “For some of these cancers, including colorectal (bowel) cancer, we think this could be partly caused by higher levels of hormones such as insulin, which is often elevated in people with obesity, as well as inflammation.
“We know people with obesity have higher levels of insulin, and insulin is a growth factor and has been linked to cancer.
“In a recent study, we actually found that insulin in particular might be playing a role in early onset colorectal (bowel) cancer, and this is actually an area of very active research at the moment.”
The researchers called for large, long-term studies to identify all the biological and environmental factors that could explain rising cancer rates in young adults.
García-Closas added: “Tackling obesity across all ages, particularly in children and young people, through stronger public health policies and wider access to effective interventions, could slow the rise in cancer and prevent many cancers and must become a national priority.”
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Globally, and in the UK, we’re seeing a small increase in cancer rates in adults under 50.
“The picture is complex and we need more research to understand what’s driving the trend, but this study helps to fill in some gaps.
“Overweight and obesity doesn’t explain the rise in full though. Improvements in detection are likely to also be playing a part, meaning that more people are being diagnosed at a younger age.
“Preventing cancer cases must be a priority for the UK government. Smoking remains a leading cause of cancer in adults under 50, which is why the Tobacco and Vapes Bill receiving royal assent this week is such a historic moment.
“Measures to restrict the advertising and promotion of junk food, introducing mandatory reporting and targets on healthy food sales, and making nutritious food more accessible to everyone would all help people keep a healthy weight.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an AI tool in beta to help policymakers, experts and healthcare professionals access sexual and reproductive health information faster.
Called ChatHRP, the tool was created by WHO’s Human Reproduction Programme and draws only on verified research and guidance collected by HRP and WHO.
It uses natural language processing and retrieval-augmented generation to produce referenced content and cut the time spent searching through documents across different platforms and databases.
WHO said ChatHRP also has multilingual capabilities and low-bandwidth functionality to support use in a wide range of settings.
The beta-testing phase is aimed at a broad professional audience, including policymakers, healthcare workers, researchers and civil society groups.
WHO said the tool can help users quickly access up-to-date evidence, find sources for academic work and verify information on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Examples of questions it can answer include the latest violence against women data in Oceania for women aged 15 to 49, recommendations on managing diabetes during pregnancy, and whether PrEP and contraception can be used at the same time. PrEP is medicine used to reduce the risk of getting HIV.
WHO added that the system will be updated regularly as new HRP materials are published and includes a feedback loop so users can flag gaps in the information provided.
The launch comes amid wider concern about misinformation in sexual and reproductive health.
A 2025 scoping review found that misinformation in digital spaces is a systemic issue that can undermine human rights, reinforce discriminatory social norms and exclude marginalised voices.
The review also said misinformation can affect health systems by shaping provider knowledge and practice, disrupting service delivery and creating barriers to equitable care.
WHO said ChatHRP is intended to give users streamlined access to reliable information as a counter to “algorithms, opinions, or misinformation”.
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