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22 May 2024
Undergraduate students, early-career professionals, and scholars from diverse disciplines converged for the two-day REDESIGN Women’s Health Hackathon, med at developing solutions to address women's health challenges. Over nearly 100 participants joined forces in response to specific issues including gynecological health, maternal care, cardiometabolic conditions, and brn mental wellness.
The event was organized by the Dyson School of Design Engineering and Imperial College London’s Women's Health Network of Excellence to highlight disparities in ger-based healthcare, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive innovation with a -centric approach. Established last year as part of efforts to promote and facilitate multidisciplinary research and innovations in women’s health equity, the network emphasizes the importance of designing healthcare solutions that cater specifically to women.
In her keynote address, Dr. Carinna Hockham - the Network Lead - underscored how traditionally male-focused perspectives have shaped healthcare practices, advocating for a shift towards inclusive design that integrates insights from diverse disciplines and prioritizes women's needs.
Dr. Celine Mougenot, an expert in the Collective Innovation Lab at Dyson School of Design Engineering and part of the network leadership team, stressed the critical need to develop healthcare innovations designed specifically for women, by women, with women playing an active role throughout the development process from ideation to implementation.
Dr. Sarah Graham, a prominent health journalist and author of Rebel Bodies: A Guide to the Ger Health Gap Revolution, provided context on the many under-served areas in women's health care, emphasizing the importance of this hackathon in addressing these gaps.
The participants were divided into teams across various disciplines like engineering, design, public health, psychology, biology, and more. Their collective efforts led to innovative concepts that med to tackle real-world healthcare challenges faced by women globally.
Some key outcomes include:
Smart Diagnostics for Women: Teams developed wearable tech solutions capable of detecting early signs of gynecological conditions like breast cancer and cervical dysplasia through monitoring biomarkers in bodily fluids.
Maternal Health Apps: Innovative mobile platforms designed to enhance prenatal care, provide real-time feedback on neonatal health post-delivery, and offer comprehensive support for new mothers navigating the postpartum experience.
Mental Wellness Tools: Teams created digital resources equipped with personalized exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and self-help modules tlored to address common mental health concerns in women such as anxiety and depression.
Community-Based Programs: Plans were developed for local community centers offering workshops focused on sexual education, reproductive rights advocacy, and peer support networks for women facing issues like period poverty or lack of access to healthcare services.
The REDESIGN Women’s Health Hackathon underscores Imperial College London's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation that empowers women through technology and interdisciplinary collaboration. These initiatives not only tackle critical health challenges but also pave the way for more inclusive and equitable approaches to healthcare design.
To learn more about Imperial College London, visit their website: www.imperial.ac.ukhttp:www.imperial.ac.uk
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