Start-up raises US$26m to ‘transform’ primary care for women over 65

A US primary care practice designed for women over 65 has raised US$26m in funding to “accelerate” growth.

Herself Health says it utilises a holistic approach to women’s health and look at various aspects of a patient’s health, including mobility, mental health, social and behavioural health and quality of life.

The company, founded in 2022, aims to ensure women feel seen and heard as they age “in a way that the current healthcare system does not provide”.

“Women 65+ face unique health and social challenges as they age, and for far too long, their concerns, needs, and desires have been ignored,” said Kristen Helton, CEO of Herself Health.

“That’s why we are designing Herself Health to be the value-based solution to improve outcomes and help women find joy, purpose, and better quality of life.

“Our fundamental goal is to elevate the patient experience and provide meaningful in-person and virtual support that provides women over the age of 65 with a primary care experience designed specifically for them.

“In the few months since our launch, the incredible interest from patients clearly demonstrates that this model was desperately needed.”

The latest round, with Michael Cline of Accretive serving as the lead investor, is hoped to help the company invest in three areas of growth, including clinic expansion, digital, in-person and community offerings and business development.

“Herself Health is addressing a long-neglected segment of the population with thoughtful, differentiated primary care services,” Cline said in a statement.

“This approach has the potential to fundamentally change the way women over the age of 65 across the United States experience health care and start a long overdue conversation about the unique health and wellness needs these women have.

“I could not be more thrilled to work alongside Herself Health, Kristen Helton, and the outstanding team bringing these services to the women who need them most.”

Herself Health has previously conducted interviews with over 700 women over the age of 65, demonstrating the need for “comprehensive” primary care services.

The interviews revealed that women in this age group were more likely to encounter doctors who do not listen to their concerns and fail to prioritise their unique needs.

Further findings showed women in this age group were:

• Four times more likely than men to be diagnosed with osteoporosis

• Three times more likely than men to have autoimmune diseases such as arthritis

• Two times more likely than men to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

• 33 per cent more likely to be misdiagnosed than men

• 43 per cent less likely than men to receive a chronic heart disease diagnosis

• 34 per cent less likely to receive cardiac medication

• 33 per cent more likely to be misdiagnosed following a stroke