New app launched in US to improve maternal health

A new app designed to help pregnant women better monitor their health has launched in the US.

BobiHealth aims to “transform” the way pregnant women monitor their health by providing insights into their health, monitoring for potential issues and alerting users when their health status could be something of concern.

The app, available for free on the Apple store through August 2024, seeks to foster inclusivity and “empower” expectant mothers with information and support.

Maternal health complications and mortality rates, particularly among minority women, have seen alarming increases in recent years.

According to a CDC report, the maternal mortality rate in 2021 rose from 20.1 to 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, with mortality rates for black women 2.6 times higher than those for Non-Hispanic white women. 

In Bexar County, Texas alone, the rate of gestational hypertension increased 57 per cent since 2017, and the rate of gestational diabetes has increased 66 per cent. Access to care, costs and potential racial bias in the healthcare system could contribute to these disparities.

“Motivated by a deeply personal experience, we developed BobiHealth to help end maternal and infant mortality,” said Dave Esra, founder and CEO of BobiHealth.

“At the heart of BobiHealth lies its cutting-edge AI technology, offering safe and intelligent monitoring and alerting solutions designed to empower pregnant individuals with invaluable, evidence-based information.”

By answering a few questions about their wellbeing, Esra said, users can receive “AI-driven” assessments of their health status.

“Whether it’s a potential concern or reassurance to continue monitoring, BobiHealth provides invaluable guidance driven by evidence-based science and AI algorithms,” he said.

“However, our commitment extends beyond technology; we are dedicated to serving underserved populations, ensuring equitable access to secure data solutions for maternal healthcare, and working towards safer pregnancies for everyone.”

As BobiHealth continues to expand its reach, the company is raising funds to support launch on the Android platform and build out its commercialisation platform globally.