Bia Care teams with Imperial College to tackle women’s health inequalities

Digital menopause health start-up Bia Care is taking part in a randomised control trial which aims to tackle women’s health inequalities.

The research, in partnership with Imperial College London, brings together the work of national thought leaders on menopause inequalities, and builds on the work of social campaigners and grassroot organisations.

Fernanda Dobal, CEO and cofounder, Bia Care said: “FemTech is the answer to closing the gender and racial health gaps. Digital health has shown its ability to overcome health inequalities across many clinical areas, such as long-term conditions, and mental health, however women’s health has largely been overlooked. This randomised control trial gives a voice to this topic, that cannot be ignored.”

Digital screening campaign announced in the Netherlands

Dutch health tech firm Happitech has launched a digital screening research project to help detect early development of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.

The study will invite 160,000 people in the Netherlands aged 50-75 to test at home with the digital Check@Home platform.

Participants will be provided with a heart rate and heart rhythm check, via the Luscii app, to detect potential cardiovascular problems like atrial fibrillation or elevated heart rate.  

The research aims to help reduce the disease burden by 25% over the next 10 years and is being supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation, the Kidney Foundation, the Diabetes Fund and the Dutch Cardiovascular Alliance (DVCA).

Northern Ireland partners with Sectra to digitise pathology

Northern Ireland’s health and social care service (HSC) has partnered with Swedish medtech firm Sectra to combine pathology and radiology images and reports in the same medical imaging system.

The digital pathology project, implemented by Business Services Organisation (BSO), aims to help future proof diagnostics for healthcare professionals and benefit patients across the region.

Karen Bailey, interim chief executive, BSO, said: “Despite the challenges COVID has presented to the health service here, I am proud that our digital pathology project team and stakeholders have delivered the digital pathology project which will provide significant benefits to HSC staff, service delivery and most importantly our patients”.

German Federal Ministry of Health and DiME publish global priorities for digital health innovation 

The Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and the Health Innovation Hub of the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) have published a viewpoint on how to advance digital health apps.

The collaborative work, published in The Lancet Digital Health, highlights global best practices and a roadmap for the continued methodological advancements necessary to accelerate digital medical innovation.

Jennifer Goldsack, CEO, DiMe, said: “Authorities across Europe are beginning to emulate Germany’s innovative policies advancing digital health innovation. The Digital Health applications (DiGA) programme is thriving in Germany, France is preparing to institute a similar policy, and Europe is harmonising approaches to evidence required for regulating digital products.”