Ovum is set to generate a first-of-its-kind longitudinal dataset to improve treatments and diagnostics for women.
Powered by artificial intelligence and women’s data, health management app Ovum A.I reached a significant milestone today as it enters its pilot phase with hundreds of women.
Ovum will pioneer Australia’s first-ever longitudinal AI women’s data set with the aim to close the gender health gap and transform how women experience healthcare.
Designed and created by Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks, Ovum is Australia’s first holistic AI health assistant co-designed with women.
More than 3.3 million Australian women use apps for reproductive health and fertility, but Ovum is the first to look at women’s health holistically.
Dr Heffernan-Marks is committed to addressing existing bias in tech and healthcare, as well as prioritizing privacy and security.
“Existing AI can perpetuate bias in healthcare outcomes for women. Ensuring that our AI is women-centric and draws from a diverse dataset is essential to its effectiveness and the impact it will have on our users,” said Heffernan-Marks.
CEO and founder Dr Heffernan-Marks said she is delighted to reach this goal in Australian women’s health is such a milestone.
“One in two women navigate a chronic health issue in Australia and by leveraging the power of AI, our bespoke personal health assistant works to understand and empower women with resources and confidence to manage their health over their lifetime.”
“Women’s health has systemically been underfunded and under-represented, and with women being under or misdiagnosed, my vision is to create an accessible resource that is designed with women, for women,” said Heffernan-Marks.
Heffernan-Marks also detailed the technical recording aspects behind the app.
“Ovum integrates and stores blood tests, imaging reports, letters and referrals and has an interactive function for women to ask questions and track any health issues.”
“This extensive record keeping is essential when it comes to complex or chronic health conditions where it can take five years for women to be diagnosed with a general health condition and between 7 and 12 years to reach a diagnosis of endometriosis, said Heffernan-Marks.
The femtech sector is on track to be worth USD$108 billion by 2032 and with generative AI set to be worth USD$2 trillion by 2030, Dr Heffernan-Marks has tapped into a market that will directly benefit women across Australia and grow over the next decade.