There are structural challenges in the healthcare system that make innovating in women’s health difficult. But unlike broader societal problems, these structural challenges can be mitigated for innovators who adopt business models and solution sets that overcome the challenges to unlock value and growth in women’s health transformation. After years of working in women’s care, four challenges stand out for me that should not be underestimated when building a women’s health business model.

Despite the success of Wildflower and that of many other innovative women’s health companies, I can’t help but feel that we aren’t doing enough as an industry to fulfill the promise of healthcare innovation for women. As an industry, we have yet to radically transform the experience, quality and affordability of women’s healthcare. There’s no doubt that working in women’s health requires grit, creative problem solving, and commitment to collaboration. It also requires being clear-eyed about the very real challenges we face. Recognizing our challenges and setbacks isn’t pessimism, it’s just realism.

Healthcare organizations are increasingly being held accountable for the health outcomes of patients. Accountable care – or value-based care – offers the promise of better collaboration among care partners and more personalized care plans for patients, particularly in maternity care. Wildflower Health’s CEO & Founder Leah Sparks joined Atlantic Medical Group’s OBGYN and Ambulatory Director Fatima Naqvi to discuss where and how accountable care plays a role. We’re breaking down some key points.

With the mission of driving health system transformation through digital, Praia Health is a modern, consumer platform for health systems that revolutionizes the delivery of individualized health solutions at scale. The Praia Health platform is changing the way Wildflower Health can be woven into a health system’s digital experience. We're excited to be one of the first organizations to join their Ecosystem Partner program.

The healthcare perils facing women in this country are unsustainable and unacceptable, specifically when it comes to giving birth. We’ve known this for years. As an industry, as a country, we’ve tried for years to change it. And we’ve yet to succeed. That's why it's time to call a truce on competition in favor of coopetition. Here's how healthcare institutions and innovators can work better together to improve maternal health outcomes.

In our latest ebook, we examine two major access issues for maternity care among rural Medicaid beneficiaries, and we explore solutions to address them. Learn how maternity care deserts and low reimbursement rates are negatively impacting care and the models required for positive change.