June 5, 2023

Pride against prejudice

Culturally competent healthcare is critical. Experts say that when providers simply ask about sexual orientation and gender identity and use appropriate pronouns, health outcomes improve, and LGBTQ+ folks are more likely to feel acknowledged and affirmed. Receiving LGBTQ+-inclusive and gender-affirming healthcare starts with access, and digital health can play a role. Our 2022 Consumer Adoption Survey revealed that LGBQA and transgender respondents used mobile apps and websites to find healthcare providers at higher rates (79% and 94%, respectively) than heterosexual or non-transgender respondents (69% and 70%, respectively). Even as legislative bodies attempt to limit medically necessary gender-affirming care and providers face threats and uncertainty for providing LGBTQ+-inclusive care, we celebrate and are grateful to all the digital health entrepreneurs who are enabling access to culturally competent care for all.

Applications for the 2023 RockHealth.org Innovation Fellowship are due Thursday, June 15! The Fellowship is an immersive cohort-based experience that supports and amplifies the work of visionary leaders centering lived experience in digital health innovation. Learn more and apply before the deadline next week.

This year’s new cohort of Innovation Fellows will also be attending Rock Health Summit on September 27, 2023. Register to join us in community with these inspiring innovators!

Headlines

Evidence Assessment In Digital Health With The Evidence DEFINED Framework
A streamlined framework to rigorously and rapidly test digital health interventions Nature

Bayer Launches Precision Health Unit In Latest Digital Health Venture
Pharmaco will focus on tools to support prevention and disease management Healthcare Dive

End Of The Line for FemTec Health
Women’s health tech startup winds down operations Axios

After Firing Staff, Eating Disorder Helpline Disables Chatbot for 'Harmful' Responses
National Eating Disorder Association removes chatbot after it encourages unhealthy habits Vice

Assault Allegations Plague A $1.4 Billion Home Eldercare Startup
Home assistance company Papa faces disturbing incident reports Bloomberg

Recent Funding

Strive Health drives home $166M for its integrated kidney care delivery offering
Carrum Health rakes in $45M to grow its healthcare services marketplace for employers
Clinical workforce intelligence solution Axuall secures $20M
Conversational AI-based patient call center and virtual assistant Hyro wraps up $20M
Grapefruit Health lands $1.3M to address workforce shortage with remote patient monitoring