Positive steps at the University of Twente (UT) in the run-up to International Women's Day on 8 March: more attention to equal health opportunities. The university plays an active role in the national innovation program Menopause Matters, which focuses on technological solutions for women in menopause, a phase that has long been understudied in healthcare, research and technological innovation.
Erasmus MC coordinates the programme and brings together a multidisciplinary group, including the University of Twente (UT), Amsterdam UMC, the Borski Fund, and Vuurvrouw. A subsidy of five million euros has been awarded for the program through Health~Holland.
Program Menopause Matters
Almost 2 million women in the Netherlands experience menopausal symptoms that affect their health and ability to work. Yet menopause remains a blind spot in both healthcare and the workplace, contributing to absenteeism and workforce drop-out. Menopause Matters therefore develops collaborative projects between researchers and companies for promising innovations in cardiovascular health, mental wellbeing and bone and muscle health problems. This could include new or female-specific medical equipment, smart (bio)sensors, 'hormone trackers', apps and self-care tools. These developments are very important because they can prevent health problems, maintain labour participation, and thereby reduce social and economic costs.
More information
Check the website.