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| The urgent call for innovation and investment in maternal health |
More than five centuries ago, Leonardo da Vinci delved into the mysteries of human anatomy, with a particular fascination for the female reproductive system. In 2023, it's astonishing that women's health, especially in the context of maternal care, remains one of the most underfunded, under-researched, and underserved fields in both investment and study.
This underinvestment presents an opportunity with a vast and relatively untapped audience – essentially every family. As genomics and artificial intelligence (AI) rise to meet the substantial unmet needs in maternal care, the market is on the verge of significant breakthroughs. Now is the prime moment for investment and innovation.
Women today are sharing their experiences, shedding light on how the United States is failing mothers and emphasizing the urgency of action and innovation in women's and pregnancy health. Recent data from the CDC reveals that maternal mortality rates in the U.S. have surged by 40%, making pregnancy riskier than in previous generations.
This maternal health crisis is particularly devastating for Black women, who are 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to their white counterparts. Shockingly, 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, underscoring the need for a collective societal effort to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth become safe and dignified experiences for all. As entrepreneurs, founders, technologists, and more, we must lead the charge in addressing this issue.
We have entered the golden age of medicine, marked by the rapid development of life-saving COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, revolutionary progress in immunotherapy for metastatic cancer, and the integration of AI and machine learning in healthcare. This is a momentous time for medicine, with breakthroughs occurring daily. In comparison to crowded fields like oncology and biotechnology, there are only a handful of stakeholders actively championing the immense opportunities in maternal health.
Women's health, particularly maternal care, has been left behind amid these medical advancements. This is concerning because women's health is synonymous with family health. Women who experience pregnancy complications face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, mental health issues, and premature death. Moreover, children born preterm encounter numerous lifelong challenges. This disproportional impact on families emphasizes that women's health should be a concern for everyone, not just mothers. This must change, as maternal health is family health.
Understanding that women's health is family health represents a pivotal first step in garnering new investment and attention for companies dedicated to improving women's health outcomes. The sheer size of the market, with nearly four million babies born annually in the U.S., highlights the substantial need and opportunity for advancements. A healthy pregnancy, free from complications, sets the stage for improved lifelong health outcomes for children, thus creating a positive ripple effect for families and generations to come.
To boost investment and attention in women's health, it is vital to increase the representation of women in high-ranking positions across technology, venture capital, government institutions, and more. Simply put, more women are needed in influential roles. In the venture capital world, women constitute only 9% of all venture capitalists in the U.S., while women hold merely 25% of seats in the U.S. Senate and 28% of seats in the U.S. House. Remarkably, only 37 women in Congress are mothers to children under 18.
At Mirvie, we are proud to report that women make up approximately two-thirds of our leadership team.
In addition to increasing the number of female investors, elected officials, founders, and CEOs, it is crucial to have men championing maternal health in these roles as well. It is astonishing that we have regressed in the 21st century. Reversing the trends of maternal mortality and morbidity stands as one of the most significant societal challenges we face. Broadening support and ensuring both men and women are actively involved in driving change are essential steps toward creating healthier futures for our families.
Despite the challenges surrounding the current state of maternal health, it is vital to acknowledge the promise and hope for forthcoming breakthroughs. Whether it's predicting pregnancy complications, providing targeted treatments when complications arise, or enhancing access to doulas and other care providers, we stand on the cusp of advancing women's health with increased investment, attention, and opportunity.
In the realms of technology and venture capital, we hold the privilege of providing the necessary resources to support life-changing and life-improving companies that are propelling women's health forward. The time is now to bestow upon them the attention and investment they deserve to ensure a world where every pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible.
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