Power Players in Precision Medicine
At the forefront of a healthcare revolution, four influential leaders convened at the 2024 Precision Health Summit. Global health strategist Fern Lazar of FINN Partners moderated this crucial dialogue. The panel united groundbreaking voices: Dr. Nicole Avena from Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, who's redefining nutritional neuroscience; Dr. Poroshat Shekarloo, transforming global health at Maimonides Medical Center through innovative quality initiatives; and Dr. Raya Khanin, pioneering AI-driven health solutions at LifeNome.
Breaking Down Historical Barriers
The stark reality of medical research came into focus: women have been systematically excluded from clinical trials, creating dangerous knowledge gaps. Female subjects were even barred from basic research studies, dismissed due to hormonal cycles that researchers claimed would "mess up the results." This exclusion has left a legacy of uncertainty in understanding how diseases manifest differently in women.
Healthcare's Failure to Deliver
At Maimonides Medical Center, the hard truth emerges: countless women, particularly immigrants and refugees, get their first real healthcare access only during pregnancy. The system's failings are glaring - rushed 10-minute prenatal visits, one-time nutrition consultations, and payment structures that reward volume over value. "Hospitals don't get paid for quality. We get paid for quantity," the panel revealed.
The Scientific Revolution Begins
Breakthrough discoveries are shattering old paradigms. Scientists have finally identified estrogen receptors in the brain, validating women's long-ignored cognitive symptoms during menopause. The American Heart Association and North American Menopause Society now advocate for revolutionary timing in hormone therapy - starting ten years before menopause for cardiovascular protection.
Data: The New Frontier
LifeNome's groundbreaking work has produced sex-specific polygenic risk scores for over 100 conditions, revealing dramatically different biological processes between males and females. This sex-disaggregated approach is revolutionizing our understanding of everything from cardiovascular disease to depression.
Trust: The Missing Link
A critical challenge emerged: gaining trust for genetic data collection, especially in minority communities. Success demands personal connections and deep community engagement. Meanwhile, outdated reimbursement systems actively block innovation in preventive care.
Healthcare's Fundamental Paradox
The summit exposed a staggering reality: while women drive 80% of healthcare decisions and represent half the population, women's health remains relegated to niche status. This isn't just a market oversight - it's a fundamental failure in healthcare that demands immediate action.
This isn't just about healthcare evolution; it's about revolutionary change. The convergence of AI and biology in women's health represents our best chance to correct centuries of systemic oversights and create a healthcare system that truly serves everyone.
