030. Data Equity & Women’s Health with Danika Kelly
Recommendations to your health and wellness should be coming from evidence based research. Often, the studies designed may not be as inclusive which means what is recommended to you, may not have been studied in people who share some of your makeup.
On this episode, Amy Truong, DTCM, MPH thoughtfully discussed with Danika Kelly, CEO and founder of My Normative.
My Normative is a health research and innovation focused on disrupting the sex and gender data gap through clinically validated data collection, data management, and analytical processes.
This episode emphasizes that better data collection isn't an "add-on" cost but should be the baseline for population health research, ultimately leading to more effective treatments and improved healthcare outcomes for everyone.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Sex and Gender Data Gap - How medical research has historically used male bodies as the default, leading to significant knowledge gaps in women's health outcomes
Real-World Impact of Flawed Data - The COVID vaccine menstrual cycle controversy as a prime example of how excluding female-specific variables creates distrust and missed health insights
Healthcare Communication - Strategies for providers to better communicate with patients about research gaps without dismissing their experiences
Red Flags in Health Studies - What patients should look for when evaluating research, including inclusion/exclusion criteria and data analysis methods
Innovation in Women's Health - How health tech companies can design more inclusive pilots and research protocols from the ground up
Chronic Conditions & Gender - The 80% of autoimmune disorders that disproportionately impact women, and opportunities in underserved markets
FemTech Growth - Promising developments in the industry and the importance of collaboration over competition
My Normative's Mission - Three program pillars (Collect, Contribute, Catalyze) helping researchers and companies incorporate sex and gender variables into their work
