“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

The Invisible Problem To Solve

Before we talk about femtech problems to solve, let’s talk about awkward conversations.

In my experience, the most effective way to make the average man squirm is to tell him, “I’m on my period.” This has always, without a doubt, evoked a long period of awkward silence, stifled confusion, and hesitant nods. 

After all, blood in war and video games is fine, but please don’t go on and on about the blood coming from the female body. It’s crass, it’s gross, it’s disgusting.  

On the other hand, I have found that the most effective way to make the average man hyped up is to talk about the “grind” of making money, working out, and building success (stay hard, son). 

There is an interesting question for me here, as the one who has had the periods, seen the blood, survived the cramps and surfed the sea of hormones…the many “pain points” that Silicon Valley seems to mysteriously overlook.

Any female-bodied human being knows these struggles inside and out, and most men at least know vaguely that it sucks.

So why isn’t there a rush to fill the gap, to sell the proverbial “painkiller”? Why is almost nobody selling the solution to the challenges almost all women would pay boatloads of money to get rid of?

Really, there is no satisfying answer to this question. Women are huge economic drivers, and there is no reason to ignore their routine discomfort. 

…Not just because it is blatantly unjust, but also because it is a huge untapped opportunity for anyone interested in making a difference and a lot of money at the same time.

If that’s you- regardless of your background, education level, or even gender (I’m looking at all you tech bros.) – read on. 

Problems To Solve!

I have done the first step for you (the pleasure is mine, truly), and identified 11 problems to solve in the women’s health space. 

Let’s dive in!

#1: Lack Of Data On How Menstrual Cycle Affects Overall Health.

Despite being a fundamental aspect of many individuals’ lives, academia has under-researched the menstrual cycle, leading to significant gaps in our understanding of its impact on overall health.

This lack of data hampers our ability to address various health issues effectively.

For instance, conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are linked to increased risks of heart disease and stroke. However, doctors often fail to diagnose them in time due to insufficient research and awareness.

To bridge this knowledge gap, here are some problems to solve:

• Pharmacology: How do hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle impact drug metabolism, and why have clinical trials historically excluded menstruating individuals from these studies?
• Sports Science: What role do cycle phases play in strength, endurance, and injury risk? How should training programs adapt to these variations?
• Mental Health: Why are conditions like anxiety and depression more prevalent in menstruating individuals, and how do hormonal shifts contribute to their severity?
• Workplace, Schools & Productivity: How does menstrual pain and fatigue affect cognitive function, absenteeism, and economic productivity? What metrics could be used to quantify this?
• Medical Diagnostics: Why do so many reproductive disorders (PCOS, endometriosis, PMDD) take years to diagnose, and what biomarkers could improve early detection?
• Sleep Science: How do menstrual phases influence sleep patterns and overall sleep quality? Could poor sleep in certain phases contribute to long-term health risks?
• AI & Data Science: How can machine learning models better predict and track cycle irregularities? Why is existing menstrual tracking data often unreliable or biased?

#2: Lack Of Effective Diagnostic Tools For Endometriosis & PCOS

Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are prevalent gynecological conditions that significantly impact individuals’ quality of life. Often, this leads to chronic pain, infertility, and metabolic complications.

However, diagnosing these conditions remains challenging due to the absence of reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tools, resulting in prolonged suffering and delayed treatment.

Endometriosis: Affects approximately 10% of individuals with uteruses during their reproductive years. Diagnosis often requires invasive procedures like laparoscopy, leading to delays averaging 7 to 12 years. 

PCOS: Impacts up to 10% of individuals with ovaries of reproductive age. Diagnosis is complicated and the lack of a definitive test, often relying on the exclusion of other disorders. 

To address these challenges, consider the following research problems to solve:

• Biomarker Discovery: What specific biomarkers can we identify in blood or menstrual fluid to facilitate non-invasive, early detection of endometriosis and PCOS? ​
• Imaging Techniques: How can we advance imaging technologies to improve the sensitivity and specificity of detecting endometriotic lesions or polycystic ovaries without resorting to invasive methods? ​
• Genetic Factors: What genetic predispositions contribute to the development of endometriosis and PCOS? How can we use this information to enhance diagnostic accuracy?
• Artificial Intelligence: How can we train machine learning algorithms to analyze medical records? How can imaging data be used to predict and diagnose these conditions more effectively?​
• Patient-Reported Outcomes: How can we integrate patient-reported symptoms and histories into electronic health records improve early recognition and diagnosis?

#3: Stigma & Misinformation

Stigma and misinformation have long plagued women’s health, leading to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and inadequate care.

Conditions like endometriosis and menopause are often misunderstood or trivialized. This results in prolonged suffering and diminished quality of life. Similarly, menopause remains shrouded in stigma, leaving many women unprepared and unsupported during this natural life transition. 

To address these challenges, consider the following interesting problems to solve relating to stigma and misinformation:

• Media Studies: How do media representations of women’s health issues perpetuate stigma and misinformation? What strategies can promote accurate portrayals?​
• Medical Education: What gaps exist in medical training regarding women’s health? How can we improve curricula to ensure healthcare professionals are well-equipped to address these issues? 
• Public Health Communication: How effective are current public health campaigns in dispelling myths about conditions like endometriosis and menopause? What approaches can enhance their impact?​
• Sociology: In what ways do cultural norms and societal expectations contribute to the stigmatization of women’s health issues? How can community-based interventions foster open dialogue?​
• Psychology: What psychological effects do stigma and misinformation have on individuals experiencing women’s health issues? How can we tailor mental health support to their needs?​
• Policy Analysis: How do existing healthcare policies address or neglect the impact of stigma and misinformation on women’s health outcomes? What policy reforms are necessary to mitigate these issues?

#4: Safer & More Accessible Birth Control Options

Despite advancements in medical science, many individuals still face challenges in accessing birth control methods that are both safe and convenient. Traditional options like hormonal pills have remained largely unchanged for decades, leading to dissatisfaction due to side effects and health concerns. Additionally, financial barriers prevent many from obtaining modern contraceptives, underscoring the need for more affordable solutions. 

To address these issues, consider the following problems to solve in the birth control space:

• Pharmaceutical Research: Why has there been limited innovation in developing new contraceptive methods? What factors contribute to the stagnation in contraceptive research and development?​
• Male Contraception: What are the challenges hindering the development and adoption of male contraceptive methods? How can these barriers be overcome to promote shared responsibility in birth control? ​
• Financial Accessibility: How do economic factors influence individuals’ access to preferred contraceptive methods? What policies could be implemented to make birth control universally affordable? 
• User Experience: What are the common side effects associated with current birth control methods? How do they impact users’ satisfaction and continuation rates? 
• Digital Tools: How reliable are menstrual cycle tracking apps in preventing unintended pregnancies? What improvements are necessary to enhance their effectiveness? 
• Education & Misinformation: How does misinformation about contraceptive methods spread through social media? What strategies can be employed to provide accurate information to the public?
• Policy & Regulation: What role do governmental policies play in either facilitating or hindering access to a variety of contraceptive options? How can legislation evolve to support reproductive autonomy?

#5: Less Invasive Fertility Treatments

Traditional fertility treatments, such as conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), often require intensive hormonal stimulation and surgical procedures, leading to physical discomfort, emotional stress, and financial burdens for individuals and couples seeking to conceive. The invasiveness of these methods can deter many from pursuing treatment, underscoring the need for safer, less invasive alternatives.​

To address these challenges, consider the following problems to solve regarding fertility treatment:

• Microfluidic Sperm Selection: What impact does the SpermGuide device have on selecting high-quality sperm? How does it compare to traditional methods in terms of reducing invasiveness and improving outcomes?
• In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG): What are the potential benefits and ethical considerations of lab-grown gametes for fertility treatments? How might IVG reduce the need for invasive procedures? 

#6: Better Solutions For Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Hot flashes and night sweats, collectively known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), affect approximately 80% of women during menopause, significantly impacting their quality of life, daily activities, and work productivity. These symptoms can lead to sleep disturbances, mood swings, and cognitive impairments, underscoring the need for effective and accessible treatments.

To address these challenges, consider the problems to solve for those experiencing hot flashes:

• Neurokinin 3 Receptor Antagonists: How effective and safe are novel medications like fezolinetant in alleviating VMS compared to traditional hormone replacement therapies? 
• Non-Hormonal Therapies: What is the efficacy of non-hormonal treatments, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and anticonvulsants, in managing hot flashes and night sweats? 
• Lifestyle Interventions: How do lifestyle modifications, including diet, exercise, and stress management, influence the frequency and severity of VMS?​
• Wearable Technology: Can wearable devices that monitor physiological changes provide real-time feedback and personalized strategies to manage VMS? ​
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): What role does CBT play in mitigating the psychological impact of VMS, and how can it be integrated into standard care practices?​
• Workplace Accommodations: How can employers implement supportive policies and environments to assist employees experiencing VMS, thereby enhancing productivity and well-being?

#7: Personalized Hormone Therapy & Menopause Monitoring

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate these symptoms, its application has been met with controversy, particularly concerning dosage and potential health risks. Recent debates have arisen over high-dose HRT prescriptions, with concerns about increased risks of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the lack of personalized treatment plans often leads to suboptimal outcomes, highlighting the need for individualized approaches.​

To address these challenges, consider these problems to solve relating to HRT:

• Individualized Hormone Therapy: How can genetic and metabolic profiling be utilized to tailor hormone therapy, ensuring efficacy while minimizing adverse effects?​
• Non-Hormonal Interventions: What alternative treatments can effectively manage menopausal symptoms for women who cannot or choose not to undergo HRT?​
• Wearable Health Technology: How can wearable devices, such as smart rings, monitor physiological changes during menopause? What role do they play in personalizing treatment plans? 
• Long-Term Health Outcomes: What are the long-term effects of various HRT regimens on cognitive function and cardiovascular health? 
• Patient Education: How can healthcare providers improve communication to ensure women are well-informed about the benefits and risks of different menopause management strategies?

#8: Menopause Workplace Support

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, yet its impact on the workplace is often overlooked. In the UK alone, approximately 14 million working days are lost annually due to menopause-related symptoms, with around 900,000 women leaving their jobs because of inadequate support. Similarly, a 2023 Mayo Clinic study estimated that menopause symptoms contribute to an annual loss of $1.8 billion in the United States due to missed workdays…sounds like many billion-dollar problems to solve.

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

• Policy Development: How can organizations implement effective menopause policies that provide flexible working arrangements, access to healthcare resources, and supportive environments? 
• Awareness and Education: What role do awareness campaigns and training programs play in reducing stigma and fostering open discussions about menopause in the workplace? 
• Economics: How does inadequate menopause support contribute to economic losses due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and employee turnover? ​
• Employee Retention: What strategies can organizations employ to retain experienced female employees who might otherwise leave due to menopause-related challenges? 
• Global Practices: How have different countries implemented reproductive leave policies? What lessons can be learned to support menopausal employees effectively? ​

#9: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Treatment

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) encompasses a range of disorders resulting from weakened or overly tight pelvic floor muscles, leading to symptoms such as urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain.

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

• Physical Therapy Efficacy: How can pelvic floor physical therapy protocols be optimized to effectively treat various forms of PFD, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse?​
• Integration of Biofeedback: What role does biofeedback play in enhancing patient outcomes during pelvic floor muscle training? How can its application be improved?
• Postpartum Interventions: What are the most effective strategies for preventing and treating PFD in postpartum women, considering the high prevalence of urinary incontinence in this group? ​
• Impact of Physical Activity: How does engaging in high-intensity physical activities, such as heavy lifting, influence the development or exacerbation of PFD, and what preventive measures can be implemented?
• Technological Innovations: How can emerging technologies, such as wearable devices or mobile applications, be utilized to support pelvic floor muscle training and improve patient adherence to treatment plans?

#10: Vaginal Microbiome Research & pH Balancing

The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining women’s health, serving as a defense against infections and contributing to overall reproductive well-being. A balanced vaginal environment is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which produce lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH, thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogenic organisms. Disruptions to this balance can lead to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella species. Recent research has identified BV as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), highlighting the importance of treating both partners to prevent recurrence.

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

• Microbiome Composition: How do variations in the vaginal microbiome across different populations influence susceptibility to infections? What role does Lactobacillus dominance play in maintaining vaginal health?​
• pH Regulation Mechanisms: What are the underlying mechanisms by which Lactobacillus species regulate vaginal pH? How can this knowledge inform the development of targeted therapies to restore and maintain pH balance?
• Impact of Hygiene Practices: How do common hygiene practices, such as the use of scented menstrual products, affect the vaginal microbiome and pH balance, potentially increasing the risk of infections? 
• Partner Treatment Strategies: What are the most effective treatment protocols for BV that involve simultaneous treatment of both partners, and how can these strategies reduce recurrence rates? 
• Probiotic Interventions: Can probiotic therapies effectively restore Lactobacillus dominance in the vaginal microbiome, and what are the long-term outcomes of such interventions on vaginal health?

#11: Gender Bias In Research & Funding

Gender bias in medical research and funding has led to significant disparities in healthcare outcomes for women. Historically, women were underrepresented in clinical trials, resulting in a lack of data on how treatments affect them differently than men. This exclusion has contributed to misdiagnoses and less effective treatments for women. For instance, a 2019 study revealed that when grant reviewers focused on the applicant rather than the research proposal, male principal investigators had a higher success rate (13.9%) compared to female principal investigators (9.2%). 

To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:

• Clinical Trial Representation: How can we ensure equitable representation of women in clinical trials to obtain accurate data on sex-specific responses to treatments?​
• Funding Allocation: What strategies can be implemented to eliminate gender bias in research funding decisions, ensuring that women’s health issues receive appropriate attention and resources?​
• Femtech Support: How does gender bias in venture capital funding affect the development of femtech innovations, and what measures can be taken to support female entrepreneurs in this sector?
• Educational Reforms: In what ways can medical education be restructured to address and reduce gender biases in diagnosis and treatment?​
• Policy Development: How can government policies be shaped to mandate the inclusion of sex and gender analysis in all health research?

So what now?

Good question, and an important one. We all have different levels of commitment to the challenges within women’s health, and different skillsets to contribute. 

That said, regardless of where you stand, there is an impact you can make. 

In your professional life, make a point to ask, “where are women being excluded here?” If you can’t find an answer, just ask a female colleague. From medicine, to tech, to engineering, architecture, urban design, education, and even public transport, there are many blindspots just waiting for creative problem-solvers like you to make a difference. 

But even if you are not interested in pursuing the problems to solve for women’s health through your career, one simple step you can take is to learn how to listen. 

If a woman in your life (colleague, significant other, friend, daughter, co-worker, or a stranger on the street) is brave enough to open up, just be there to acknowledge their struggles and their feelings. Don’t jump to invalidate. Don’t jump to “mansplain”. Just listen. Offer your support in whatever way possible. 

For some, that means buying a box of tampons and chocolate for your girlfriend when they’re on their period. For others, it means cranking up the thermostat in the office. Maybe, it’s just acknowledging that in a world so systematically biased against the female body, there is no such thing as a “hysterical woman”.

Thought to Action

1. Sign petitions & support legislation for more women’s health research funding.
2. Email universities & research institutions encouraging more studies on underfunded women’s health issues.
3. Donate to organizations funding women’s health research, like the WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters) Initiative or the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR).
4. Support crowdfunding campaigns for femtech innovations, even with small donations.
5. Become an early adopter—test new femtech apps and products and provide feedback.

Sources

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17455057241290895?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.12

https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2024-global-report-reveals-major-gaps-in-menstrual-health-and-hygiene-in-schools

https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/05/period-poverty-why-millions-of-girls-and-women-cannot-afford-their-periods

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/31/endometriosis-study-1000-women-wanted

https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-023-02732-2

https://drseckin.com/endometriosis-and-pcos

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/03/menopause-doctors-education-harvard-mayo

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39511120

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/greens-announce-election-push-to-make-birth-control-free/news-story/6e974c3f287fbb90356fa77a28ebc41a

https://www.theguardian.com/society/commentisfree/2025/feb/22/the-pill-hasnt-been-improved-in-years-no-wonder-women-are-giving-up-on-it

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3233302

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-novel-drug-treat-moderate-severe-hot-flashes-caused-menopause

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8746897

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/26/lab-grown-eggs-sperm-viability-uk-fertility-watchdog

https://www.heraldsun.com.au

https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/dr-louise-newson-hrt-menopause-expert-celebrities-zg7zxxb0n?region=global

https://www.wired.com/story/oura-perimenopause-report

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-puts-price-tag-on-cost-of-menopause-symptoms-for-women-in-the-workplace

https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/sjp-charles-stanley-boost-menopause-support-for-city-workers-9cef0327

https://apnews.com/article/menopause-work-benefit-hot-flash-insomnia-support-c91eb76a8802c3dbbd5a0fdef219086c

https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/women-flee-uk-fund-jobs-after-50-398c445d

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/shattering-the-silence-about-menopause-12-month-progress-report/shattering-the-silence-about-menopause-12-month-progress-report

https://www.parents.com/postpartum-incontinence-is-common-but-untreated-8785817

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4570968

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559246

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fbacterial-vaginosis-now-classified-as-an-sti%2Fnews-story%2Ffc1975db9d71f78418a292a3fc5d08d2&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/05/paradigm-shift-australian-researchers-discover-key-to-treatment-of-bacterial-vaginosis

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/08/the-huge-disadvantage-women-behind-femtech-phenomenon-face

https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-close-the-gender-health-gap

The post 11 Problems To Solve In FemTech That Will Make You Rich appeared first on Green Also Green.

“A woman’s health is her greatest asset; invest in it wisely.” -Unknown

The Mystery of Menopause

The first time I heard the word “menopause”, I was 14 years old. 

I remember thinking a lot of things about it. First of all, why was the word “men” in there? Second, how does it work? How do you know when it’s started, when it’s over, when you’re in the middle of it? When will it happen to me?

It was a word shrouded in mystery and hushed acknowledgement. It was complicated, poorly defined, and faraway. 

But there is something we do know about menopause, and that is: it happens to women everywhere, en masse, all the time.

So, naturally, there must be a bunch of products people have designed to make the years women spend in menopause easier, right?

Well…not really. 

Besides supplements, if you search up “menopause products”, you will mostly encounter a barren wasteland of search results. 

This isn’t to say women experiencing perimenopause or menopause aren’t interested. 

In fact, the market for “femtech” relating to all things menstruation, menopause, and female hormone cycles is ripe with demand. 

Today, I’m going to give you 8 reasons why you- regardless of your field, education level, background, or gender (I’m looking at all the tech bros out there)- should fill the gap in the menopause market. 

…If not just because it addresses a huge but invisible injustice in the healthcare space, because it taps into one of the largest and most powerful economic driving forces of the world- aging women. 

#1: By 2025, over 1 billion women globally will be experiencing menopause.

I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again: menopause is not a niche issue.

Actually, it’s a global phenomenon that will affect over 1 billion women in 2025, according to projections from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

This shift means a significant portion of the world’s population will be navigating menopausal symptoms, yet the medical and technological advancements in this space remain insufficient. 

Unlike other major life transitions, menopause has historically been underfunded, understudied, and under-discussed in both the healthcare industry and society at large.

The implications of menopause extend beyond personal health—they affect workforce productivity, economic structures, and even healthcare systems. 

Women in midlife represent a growing segment of the workforce, yet many face significant challenges due to unmanaged symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes. 

The lack of comprehensive solutions often forces women to reduce work hours, take career breaks, or even leave jobs entirely, affecting financial stability and contributing to gender disparities in career advancement.

So there is an urgent need for new solutions, whether in healthcare, workplace policies, product development, or education. But innovation in this space isn’t limited to medical professionals—there’s room for entrepreneurs, technologists, designers, educators, and researchers from diverse backgrounds to make a difference.

#2: Most FemTech has been active in menstrual health and pregnancy, with midlife women’s health largely underfunded.

Over the past decade, FemTech (female-focused technology and healthcare solutions) has seen rapid growth, with billions of dollars invested in products and services aimed at menstrual health, fertility, and pregnancy. 

However, midlife women’s health—especially menopause—remains significantly underfunded and underserved. 

According to a Forbes report, while the global FemTech market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025, the vast majority of funding has gone toward reproductive and maternal health, leaving menopause-related innovation lagging far behind.

This funding gap is largely due to historical biases in medical research and a lack of awareness about the widespread impact of menopause. 

Despite the fact that every woman who reaches midlife will experience menopause, it has been treated as an afterthought in healthcare and innovation. 

The result? 

Women facing symptoms such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular risks, cognitive decline, and metabolic changes often struggle to find tailored solutions beyond hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which remains controversial for some due to concerns about potential risks.

The underfunding of menopause-related innovation isn’t just a problem—it’s a massive opportunity.

The market for menopause solutions is wide open, and you don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to contribute.

Entrepreneurs, researchers, and creative problem-solvers from all industries can help close the gap.

#3: Less than 2% of biomedical research funding goes toward menopause, leaving a bunch of room for innovation.

This World Economic Forum article states,“According to Imperial College London, less than 2% of medical research funding is spent on pregnancy, childbirth and female reproductive health. The statistics are abundantly clear: Women are being medically denied and left with profound unmet need. 

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for major reforms, recommending that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) establish a dedicated institute for women’s health research and that Congress provide increased funding to close the gender gap in medical research. 

The World Economic Forum also highlights that the healthcare system’s failure to prioritize women’s health results in poorer medical outcomes, increased economic strain, and diminished quality of life for millions of women.

With such a glaring lack of research and funding, there’s massive potential for groundbreaking innovation—and you don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to make an impact.

Right now, the lack of funding is a barrier—but it’s also an opportunity. 

If even a fraction of the energy that’s gone into other medical research were directed toward women’s health, we could completely change how women experience midlife and beyond. 

Whether through research, technology, or advocacy, there’s no better time to innovate in menopause healthcare.

#4: Menopause symptoms cost billions annually in sick days, early retirements, and decreased productivity. 

Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, often brings symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life and her professional performance. Recent studies have quantified this impact, revealing substantial economic consequences for both individuals and organizations.

A comprehensive study by the Mayo Clinic estimated that menopause-related symptoms lead to an annual loss of approximately $1.8 billion in work time in the United States. When accounting for direct medical expenses, the total economic burden rises to $26.6 billion annually. The study highlighted that menopausal symptoms adversely affect work performance, with severity correlating strongly with negative work outcomes. 

Beyond absenteeism, presenteeism—where employees are physically present but less productive due to health issues—also contributes to economic losses. Research indicates that women experiencing menopausal symptoms report higher levels of work impairment and increased healthcare utilization compared to those without such symptoms.

#5: Many low-income communities lack access to hormone therapy or specialist care. 

Menopause is a universal experience for women, but access to effective treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and specialist care is not equally distributed. 

Women in low-income communities often face significant barriers to accessing these essential health services, leading to disparities in menopause management and overall health outcomes.​

Research indicates that socioeconomic status significantly influences the utilization of HRT. 

A study found that women with moderate to high incomes were three times more likely to use HRT compared to those with low incomes. This disparity is attributed to factors such as lack of healthcare coverage, limited access to healthcare providers, and insufficient information about treatment options. 

Additionally, women from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience an earlier onset of menopause and report more severe symptoms. Despite this increased need, they are less likely to receive appropriate care, exacerbating health inequities.

Addressing these disparities is crucial for promoting health equity and ensuring that all women have access to effective menopause management.

#6: Specialized sleep technology for menopausal women has not been developed yet. 

Menopause often brings about significant sleep disturbances, with studies indicating that 40–60% of menopausal women experience sleep problems. These disturbances can severely impact quality of life, leading to fatigue, mood disorders, and decreased productivity. Despite the prevalence of these issues, there remains a notable gap in the development of specialized sleep technologies tailored specifically for menopausal women.

While general sleep aids and cooling products exist, few are explicitly designed to address the unique challenges posed by menopause-related sleep disturbances. 

For instance, some companies have introduced cooling mattresses and temperature-regulating bedding aimed at alleviating night sweats and hot flashes. However, these solutions are often generalized and not specifically tailored to the menopausal demographic. 

Moreover, comprehensive wearable devices that monitor sleep patterns in conjunction with menopausal symptoms are still underrepresented in the market.

#7: Most meal planning services and food products overlook the needs of women experiencing menopause.

Nutrition plays a major role in managing menopausal symptoms, yet most meal planning and food product development overlook the needs of this demographic.

This oversight leaves a substantial gap in the market for solutions tailored to alleviate menopause symptoms and promote overall health during this transitional phase.​

During menopause, decreased estrogen levels can lead to various health concerns, including bone density loss, increased cardiovascular risk, and weight gain. Incorporating specific nutrients, such as increased calcium, phytoestrogens, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids into the diet can help mitigate these risks. 

The limited availability of menopause-focused meal planning services presents a significant opportunity for innovation.

#8: Menopause increases the risks of many chronic diseases.

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles and a decline in estrogen levels. This hormonal shift is associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases, making it a critical period for proactive health management.​

Below are just a few examples of the health risks menopausal and postmenopausal women face.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

The decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Estrogen is known to have a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Its reduction leads to changes in body composition and lipid metabolism, increasing the risk of conditions such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Research indicates that women experience a notable increase in CVD risk during midlife, coinciding with the menopausal transition.

Osteoporosis

Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density.

Post-menopausal women experience accelerated bone loss, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

The World Health Organization notes that the loss of bone density at menopause significantly contributes to higher rates of osteoporosis and fractures among women.

Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes

Menopause is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. This elevates the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and unfavorable lipid profiles.

Thought to Action

1. Normalize conversations about menopause. Menopause is still a taboo topic in many cultures. A layperson can help break the stigma by discussing menopause openly with friends, family, and colleagues.
2. Advocate for menopause-friendly workplaces. Many women suffer in silence at work due to symptoms like brain fog, sleep disturbances, and hot flashes. Let’s push for workplace policies that support menopausal employees. Supporting HR initiatives or signing petitions for legislative changes can make a real difference.
3. Support organizations focusing on menopause research. Men and women alike can back businesses and researchers focusing on menopause. For example, support can be investing, sharing their work, or simply choosing products that benefit menopausal women. If an entrepreneur in his network is working on a menopause-related innovation, he can offer mentorship or support.
4. Be a listener without jumping to being a “fixer”. Sometimes, we just need someone to listen without judgment. If a woman in your life shares her struggles with menopause, resist the urge to offer solutions unless she asks for them. Just acknowledging her experience with a simple “That sounds really challenging. How can I support you?” can go a long way.
5. Be curious, kind, and present. Whether it’s attending a menopause-awareness talk, joining a couple’s health checkup, or just being present when she’s struggling, showing up without making menopause feel like a taboo subject helps remove stigma.

Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3820128

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/menopause-and-workplace-productivity/menopause-and-workplace-productivity

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-puts-price-tag-on-cost-of-menopause-symptoms-for-women-in-the-workplace

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10347781

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause

https://www.forbes.com/sites/reenitadas/2019/07/24/menopause-unveils-itself-as-the-next-big-opportunity-in-femtech

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/women-healthcare-gap

https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/12/to-advance-womens-health-research-nih-should-form-new-institute-and-congress-should-appropriate-new-funding-says-report

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/how-your-background-can-affect-your-menopa

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1026537114638

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11297189

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6092036

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000912

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10672665

The post 8 Reasons You Will Regret Not Innovating For Menopause appeared first on Green Also Green.

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci

One of the most well-known figures to represent Renaissance culture is the world’s favorite creative genius, Leonardo DaVinci. A painter, engineer, and scientist, he lived dozens of lifetimes in one. 

How did he do it? 

And why have so few managed to do it since?

This is a good question, an important one in a world so simultaneously plagued with problems and blessed with beauty. 

For many of us, living the life of a Renaissance person seems like a romantic pipe dream. 

Indeed, it seemed not so long ago that we were all starry-eyed toddlers who had seven answers whenever an adult hovered over us and asked that expansive-but-terrifying question: “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Fast forward twenty, thirty, or forty-plus years, and those pipe dreams have been flushed away. 

But what if there was still time, and a strong need, for more people with DaVinci careers?

I’m not describing an alternate universe; I’m describing our reality. 

Now, here are 4 easy lessons that you can apply from DaVinci himself to make it your reality too. 

#1: Study Nature Closely

When designing his flight machine, DaVinci sketched an entire folio titled Flight Of Birds. He studied their wings, how air passes over them, and was even the first to document a maneuver called dynamic soaring. According to this research paper, his description pre-date the first “generally accepted explanation of the physics” of this technique by almost 400 years.

What can you take from this?

Observe patterns, systems & behaviors in the natural world. 

The original creative genius is natural selection herself.

#2: Embrace Experimentation. 

Another branch of Davinci’s legacy concerns his sketches of human anatomy. 

At the time, dissection was against the law unless you were a physician- he wasn’t. Nevertheless, he still dissected human remains, drawing what he saw and providing us with breakthroughs about the functions of bones and muscles in the body. 

Another example is DaVinci’s water vase experiment, which sought to test the theory that gravity is a form of acceleration. Ultimately, engineers at Caltech have confirmed that his understanding of gravity was centuries ahead of its time, and that he was able to calculate the gravitational constant with 97% accuracy. 

But what about the experiments that didn’t quite go to plan?

His Last Supper painting, whose experimental pigment didn’t stick to the wall, leading to quick degradation. 

His rejected plans to cast the bronze doors of a cathedral in Piacenza or design the dome for the cathedral of Milan.

In fact, for most of his life, DaVinci’s idea of himself was far from “creative genius”.

He considered himself a failure.

He experimented anyway. 

He tested his ideas (especially if they seemed unconventional).

He embraced failure. 

We need to do the same. 

#3: Self-Direct Your Education. 

Leonardo DaVinci was not what you would call “well-educated” in the traditional sense. He received the usual schooling of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but no “higher education” at university. 

In fact, it was only once he was about 30 years old that he started diving deep into the realms of advanced geometry, arithmetic, and Latin. 

At the end of the day, DaVinci was self-taught. 

He did his own experiments. He led his own research. He came up with questions and sought to answer them on his own terms. 

To what end? 

Making connections. 

The curse of being endlessly curious is that you are endlessly unsatisfied by the curriculums created by others. 

However, once you start to direct your education to learn about what truly fascinates you, you realize that the blessing is in gaining your own unique problem-solving vision that single-field, single-culture, single-skillset individuals just don’t have. This turns you into a creative genius.

DaVinci created a curriculum that answered all his questions, and for you to do the same is easier than it’s ever been before. 

Harness all the books, podcasts, YouTube videos, blogs, AI agents, and social media platforms that stimulate your curiosity.

Stop trying to make sense of your interests. 

Start following them. 

#4: Make Creativity A Habit. 

Arguably the most important of DaVinci’s creations was the creation of a habit, or perhaps several habits that changed the way he saw and responded to the world, ultimately creating a creative genius.

So, what can you do to replicate DaVinci’s genius (or maybe just his habits) in our fast-paced, hyper-productive, mostly-online world?

Make time daily to create.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Go out for walks in nature. Bring a sketchbook and pencil with you. Spend a few minutes looking closely at one component of your surroundings, and sketch it as you observe it.
• If you’re working on a design, product, or engineering problem, look at how nature solves similar challenges.
• If you’re learning something new (coding, art, engineering), try unconventional methods without worrying about failure.
• When stuck on a project, ask: “What would happen if I did the opposite?” or “What rule can I break?”
• Pick a subject unrelated to your field and explore it (e.g. read a book or article about it, listen to a podcast episode) —Leonardo studied everything from music to anatomy.
• Set up “apprenticeships” for yourself—shadow professionals or take online courses outside of your formal education.
• Schedule daily “idea time” (even 10 minutes) to brainstorm or sketch.
• Use cross-training: If you work in STEM, do something artistic like painting or writing to keep your creativity active. If you work in the arts, try a logic puzzle or engineering concept.
• Take Leonardo-style breaks: He believed stepping away from work helped ideas incubate—try taking walks, changing environments, or switching tasks.

Thought To Action 

1. Keep a Curiosity Journal: Note down observations about how things work or ideas for inventions, no matter how small.
2. Sketch For Your Brain: Draw diagrams and sketches to help process your thoughts and develop your ideas further. 
3. Study the “How” Of Everything You Find Interesting: Ask more questions and get in the habit of approaching all situations with curiosity and interest. 
4. Innovate Through Collaboration: Partner up with someone from another discipline to work on a project or to hear how they conceptualize particular challenges or ideas. 
5. Ask “What If” Questions: Regularly ask questions with a beginner’s mindset, asking the sort of “What if?” questions a child would. Make curiosity fun. 

Sources

Heydenreich, Ludwig Heinrich. “Leonardo Da Vinci.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Oct. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Leonardo-da-Vinci.

Papadopoulos, Loukia. “Experiments in Gravity: How Leonardo Da Vinci Was ahead of His Time.” Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2023, interestingengineering.com/science/leonardo-da-vinci-inner-workings-of-gravity. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Richardson, Philip L. “Leonardo Da Vinci’s Discovery of the Dynamic Soaring by Birds in Wind Shear.” Notes and Records: The Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, vol. 73, no. 3, 3 Oct. 2018, pp. 285–301, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsnr.2018.0024. Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.

The post 4 Secrets From Leonardo da Vinci On How To Become A Creative Genius appeared first on Green Also Green.

“Creativity is connecting things.” – Steve Jobs

Why You Should Innovate At The Intersections 

Once upon a time, phones were ugly. 

They were clunky at first, then shrunk. In 1971, Intel invented microprocessors. The tech was revolutionary, but the aesthetics were abysmal. 

Enter Steve Jobs. 

After taking a calligraphy class, he fell in love with typography, which went on to heavily influence the aesthetic charm of all Apple products to this day. 

No, it wasn’t coding or engineering. It wasn’t a “practical” subject that promised high starting salaries. 

It was calligraphy. 

And it changed the course of history. 

What happened here was a collaboration across disciplines, facilitated by one man’s curiosity. 

After leaving Apple, Jobs went on to found Pixar, and once again created a beautiful collaboration between storytelling, art, and computing. 

The exciting part about this is that many opportunities to do what Jobs did exist in other intersections.

Which ones?

Read on to find out.  

The Top Emerging Fields For Interdisciplinary Teams

#1: Agriculture + Robotics

This combination is great for interdisciplinary teams interested in revolutionizing food production by increasing efficiency, sustainability, and precision. 

Currently, the agricultural sector is under immense pressure to produce more with fewer resources. 

As a result, it’s an exciting industry ripe for combining AI, machine learning, and robotics to solve real-world problems.

How to Get Started:

1. Learn Basics of Robotics and Agriculture: Take online courses in agricultural science and robotics (e.g., through Coursera or edX).
2. Gain Practical Experience: Volunteer or intern at farms or agritech companies that use robotics or smart farming techniques.
3. Build a Network: Join forums, attend agritech expos, or connect with professionals in agriculture and robotics.

#2: Ecology + Urban Planning

Ecology and urban planning together create sustainable, resilient cities that harmonize human development with the natural world. 

As urban populations grow, the need for eco-friendly planning becomes critical to prevent environmental degradation, manage resources, and combat climate change.

It’s a rewarding area for interdisciplinary teams passionate about blending science, creativity, and policy to design cities that thrive in balance with nature.

How to Get Started:

1. Study Fundamentals: Learn about environmental science and urban planning through degree programs or certifications.
2. Work on Local Projects: Volunteer with urban greening initiatives or ecological conservation projects in cities.
3. Engage with Professionals: Attend conferences like the American Planning Association’s events to network with experts, and others who are interested in working in interdisciplinary teams or already do.

#3: Music + Physics

Understanding the physics of sound enhances instrument design, audio technology, and acoustics, creating new possibilities for musical expression and innovation.

This field also has practical applications in sound engineering, concert hall acoustics, and music therapy, making it versatile and impactful for interdisciplinary teams. 

If you’re passionate about both music and science, this intersection offers a fulfilling career that combines analytical skills with artistry to innovate in the entertainment, technology, and health sectors.

How to Get Started:

1. Learn the Basics: Explore introductory courses in acoustics, sound engineering, or physics of music.
2. Experiment: Use DIY sound experiments to understand resonance, frequency, and waveforms.
3. Join Communities: Participate in forums like Acoustical Society of America or attend events on sound innovation.

#4: Fashion + Materials Science

The fusion of fashion and materials science is transforming the industry by pushing boundaries in sustainability, functionality, and innovation. 

This field is vital for developing eco-friendly fabrics, smart textiles, and performance wear, addressing consumer demand for sustainable and high-tech clothing. 

Materials science contributes to waste reduction by creating recyclable or biodegradable fabrics, while smart textiles enable wearable technology. 

It’s a dynamic industry for those who enjoy blending creativity with scientific discovery, offering a chance to redefine how we wear and produce clothing.

How to Get Started:

1. Educate Yourself: Enroll in textile science or fashion technology courses online or at design schools.
2. Explore Innovations: Research new materials like biofabricated leather or smart fibers and experiment with DIY designs.
3. Collaborate: Network with professionals in fashion and materials science to discuss innovative ideas and trends.

#5: Civil Engineering + Disaster Management

Civil engineering and disaster management form a critical partnership in protecting communities from natural and man-made disasters. 

This field focuses on designing resilient infrastructure, creating early warning systems, and planning disaster response strategies. 

It’s an essential area as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of disasters. 

Professionals in this intersection play a vital role in reducing loss of life and property while fostering sustainable rebuilding efforts. 

The work is impactful, directly contributing to the safety and recovery of affected communities.

How to Get Started:

1. Acquire Relevant Skills: Pursue civil engineering degrees with a focus on sustainable design and disaster mitigation.
2. Volunteer: Work with disaster relief organizations or local emergency management agencies.
3. Specialize: Take certifications in disaster risk reduction (e.g., through FEMA or Red Cross) to deepen your expertise.

Thought to Action 

1. Ask Unconventional Questions: Practice questioning assumptions, e.g., “What’s the opposite approach to solving this?”
2. Volunteer for Cross-Field Projects: Look for community initiatives blending art and technology or education and environment.
3. Create an Idea Board: Encourage cross-department brainstorming for social or environmental initiatives.
4. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing. 
5. Sketch For Your Brain: Draw diagrams and sketches to help process your thoughts and develop your ideas further. 

Sources

Cheng, Chao, et al. “Recent Advancements in Agriculture Robots: Benefits and Challenges.” Machines, vol. 11, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2023, p. 48, www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/11/1/48, https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11010048.

Gossett, Stephen. “Farming & Agriculture Robots.” Built In, 7 Mar. 2023, builtin.com/robotics/farming-agricultural-robots. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Hrga, Iztok. “Wearable Technologies: Between Fashion, Art, Performance, and Science (Fiction).” TEKSTILEC, vol. 62, no. 2, 14 June 2019, pp. 124–136, www.tekstilec.si/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tekstilec-02-2019-clanek-5.pdf, https://doi.org/10.14502/tekstilec2019.62.124-136. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

Suits, Bryan H. Physics behind Music. 2023.

“The Role of Civil Engineers in Disaster Management and Relief Efforts – GIS User Technology News.” GISuser, 12 Aug. 2023, gisuser.com/2023/08/the-role-of-civil-engineers-in-disaster-management-and-relief-efforts/. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

The World Bank. “Agriculture and Food.” World Bank, 2018, www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Wakchaure, Manas, et al. “Application of AI Techniques and Robotics in Agriculture: A Review.” Artificial Intelligence in the Life Sciences, vol. 3, no. 100057, Dec. 2023, p. 100057, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ailsci.2023.100057.

Witt, Emlyn, et al. “Mapping Construction Industry Roles to the Disaster Management Cycle.” Procedia Economics and Finance, vol. 18, 2014, pp. 103–110, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212567114009198, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2212-5671(14)00919-8. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Wu, Jianguo. “Urban Ecology and Sustainability: The State-of-The-Science and Future Directions.” Landscape and Urban Planning, vol. 125, May 2014, pp. 209–221, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204614000322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.01.018. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

The post Top 5 Emerging Fields for Interdisciplinary Teams appeared first on Green Also Green.

“When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement accelerates.”  – Pearson’s Law

Why Journaling Works

Before we talk about journaling ideas, imagine wanting to lose weight without knowing how much you currently weigh.

You brazenly announce with a bold New-Year-Resolution sense of conviction that this is the year. Yes, now you will finally start eating healthy and working out. You will fit into your old jeans again. It will be different now. 

Why?

Well, because you say so. 

One of the many reasons resolutions like this fail is because they do not involve tracking progress. 

While it takes courage to announce your goals, and clarity to design the systems to achieve them, one essential component to drip-feeding yourself motivation when you’re on the verge of giving up is knowing exactly how you have moved towards your goals on a smaller scale. 

How much weight did you lose in the last month? How many steps did you take today? What weight are you lifting now compared to two weeks ago? 

It is not to trick yourself into thinking you are at your goal, but instead to highlight that your effort has made a difference. 

Maybe you haven’t lost 20lbs yet, but your hard work has already lost you 3, and you are able to run for 3 consecutive minutes instead of only two. 

So actually, you are getting better and you should keep going…just to see what happens. 

That said, tracking progress isn’t always as easy as it sounds, and if you’re tracking progress for a project that has less obvious indicators of success, and you yourself are a busy person with lots of competing priorities, using these journaling ideas to keep track of your progress requires some tips and tricks to get started. 

Here are three journaling ideas just to get you started…

Journaling Idea #1: Record Reps 

It’s fun to come up with goals…less fun to work hard on them. 

The reality of making your goals happen is that you have to put in regular, consistent action. Usually, it takes longer than you hope for and requires you to grow in ways you could never anticipate. 

In those moments, it’s easy to lose motivation. 

…Unless you have a tangible measure of just how far you have come in that moment.

This journaling idea will help you save up motivation for the days when you ask yourself if your goal has any merit.

On these days, record the reps.

Record the smaller steps.

Record the daily wins and the time you put in. 

You have made progress, I promise you. 

How To Do It:

1. Define Key Actions
   • Identify the specific, repeatable actions (the “reps”) that directly contribute to your goal.
   • Example: For fitness, it could be “workout sessions”; for writing, it could be “words written.”
2. Choose a Tracking Method
   • Use a consistent format like a table, list, or tracker template in your journal to record each action.
   • Include dates, details of the action, and any measurable outcomes (e.g., “wrote 500 words on Jan 15”).
3. Set Daily or Weekly Targets
   • Establish how often you aim to perform the action (e.g., 5 times per week).
   • Break it into manageable chunks to keep it achievable.
4. Note Qualitative Observations
   • After each “rep,” jot down how you felt, what worked, and what didn’t. This adds context to your progress.
5. Review Weekly
   • At the end of each week, summarize the total number of reps completed, what helped you stay consistent, and what barriers you faced.
6. Adjust as Needed
   • Use your review to refine your approach, adjust targets, or find ways to improve consistency.
7. Celebrate Consistency
   • Acknowledge your streaks and progress regularly to reinforce positive habits and keep motivation high.

Journaling Idea #2: Visualize Success

It seems counterintuitive to visualize success before you’re even there. It feels like you haven’t “deserved” the win. 

Except that you have. 

To align your mindset with a vision of success allows you to translate your mindset into actions that accelerate your progress. It takes a big highlighter to all the opportunities you have for success in your domain, gradually diminishing the gaps between your current reality and your ideal state. 

This journaling idea leads to an intuitive track of progress that motivates you consistently. 

How To Do It:

1. Set a Visualization Ritual
   • Dedicate 5-10 minutes daily (morning or night) to visualize your success. Use your journal to support the process.
2. Describe Your Ideal Outcome
   • Write a detailed narrative about what achieving your goal looks and feels like. Include sensory details, emotions, and specific achievements.
3. Create a Vision Board (Optional)
   • Use your journal to sketch or paste images, quotes, or symbols that represent your goal.
4. Write as If You’ve Achieved It
   • Regularly journal from the perspective of your future self, describing the day, your accomplishments, and how life has improved.
5. Identify Key Behaviors and Mindsets
   • Reflect on what the “successful you” is doing regularly. Write out these habits and compare them to your current actions.
6. Review and Update
   • Revisit your visualization weekly to adjust it as your goals evolve or become more refined.
7. Use Affirmations
   • Write affirmations related to your goal. For example, “I am consistent in taking action toward [goal].” Use these as daily journal prompts.

Journaling Idea #3: Celebrate “Lessons Learned”! 

Not all progress is about “wins”. Sometimes, progress is about lessons.

To not only acknowledge this but use it to your advantage, make a special effort to journal about what you have learned from all the times your efforts didn’t quite pan out. 

This will help you avoid the same mistakes, and to show more patience toward the process of trial and error that is often required to achieve big goals. 

How To Do It

1. Acknowledge the Failure
   1. Write down the event or situation where you fell short. Be specific and avoid judgmental language.
2. Identify Contributing Factors
   1. Break down the reasons for the failure. Was it lack of preparation, external circumstances, or unrealistic goals?
3. Extract the Lesson
   1. Reflect on what you learned from the experience. Write how it could help you avoid similar mistakes or improve next time.
4. Reframe the Failure
   1. Write a positive takeaway by reframing the failure as a stepping stone toward growth. Example: “Missing my deadline taught me to set reminders and plan earlier.”
5. Plan Your Next Steps
   1. Write an action plan for how you will apply the lesson. Be specific about changes to your approach, strategy, or mindset.
6. Track Improvement
   1. Use your journal to monitor whether implementing the lesson leads to progress in future efforts.
7. Celebrate the Growth
   1. Take a moment to acknowledge your courage to face failure and learn from it. Write about how the experience has made you stronger.

Thought to Action 

1. Gratitude + Goals: For each of the above journaling ideas, start each entry with one thing you’re grateful for and one small step you’ll take tomorrow.
2. Visualize Success: Use sketching or doodling to map out goals and progress instead of writing paragraphs.
3. Keep a Curiosity Journal: Note down observations about how things work or ideas for inventions, no matter how small.
4. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing in conjunction with the above journaling ideas.
5. Understand Your Metrics: Track and measure your own progress with progress trackers, making sure to carefully determine which metric will appropriately measure your progress. 

Sources

No external resources were used to research for this post. 

The post Unlocking 3 Easy Journaling Ideas To 10x Your Progress appeared first on Green Also Green.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.” -Maya Angelou

Creativity and innovation isn’t just for artists. 

It’s also for scientists and engineers, bankers and tech bros. It’s for mothers with screaming toddlers, and broke college students far away from home. 

Creativity lives within everyone, and it is for everyone. 

But even more importantly than this, we need creativity to solve the problems we face in our world. 

The issue?

We often turn away from exercising our creativity muscle due to fear of failure and embarrassment. 

It’s a stupid idea anyway. I’m probably not the first one to think of it. They will think I’m being weird. 

It is easy to have excuses like this. However, it stifles our development. 

So how do you finally, once and for all, learn how to be creative again- without the fear, the embarrassment, and the doubtful self-talk?

Practice. 

It’s not a quick fix, but it is an easy one. 

This Psychology Today article even suggests that “acts of creativity add meaning, shape, purpose, and richness to our days”.

This is to say, not only will practicing creativity make your life better, but it will also be fun, fulfilling, and add “richness” to your days. 

So how can you get started?

Let’s find out. 

What are the barriers to creativity and innovation? 

While we’re on the topic of using creativity to stimulate innovation, let’s talk about what innovation and creativity actually are. 

Wolfgang Grulke, author of Lessons In Radical Innovation defines innovation as “the change into something new, the introduction of novelties and the alteration of what is established”.

In other academic sources, creativity is defined as “the production of novel ideas that are useful and appropriate to the situation”.

So what are the implications of these definitions for us?

It means that to be innovative and creative, we need to change what is established into something new. 

Let’s consider that: creativity is changing what is established into something new. 

It is transformation. 

How does this take place? 

Is it through locking yourself in a room for weeks to write the next great classic novel? Is it by living isolated from society in the middle of the desert? Maybe for some. 

If you’re not willing to do either of those, however, the good news is that it’s actually a lot more simple. 

The formula is this: (1) recognize what is established and (2) identify how to transform it. 

If it’s this simple though, why isn’t everyone a creative genius?

Well, turns out these two steps are pretty difficult.

Here is a short list of just a few of the reasons why:

• Diminished engagement in artistic pursuits as we get older. 
• Low self-confidence
• Fear of failure
• Educational environments that stifle creative thinking
• Need for conformity
• And so on

The list is exhaustive and depressing. 

The good news is you don’t have to succumb to these reasons, nor do you have to let your creative potential dwindle. 

No matter who you are, what you do, or what problems you face, practicing creativity will make your life and work better. 

Want to know how to get started?

Keep reading. 

3 Simple Steps To Foster Creativity And Innovation

Now that we have discussed some of the common barriers to creativity, and you understand the importance of building the creativity muscle, what are some ways you can put this into practice?

Below are 3 simple easy strategies you can start applying today in order to get started!

#1: Use limitations as catalysts. 

This technique is all about setting arbitrary constraints to get your wheels turning. It’s about asking “What If”s several times to think in a way you wouldn’t have otherwise. 

What if your budget was $10? $100? $1000?

How would you create a particular artistic work if you only had half an hour? A day? A month? A year?

What if you had to cook dinner, but you were only allowed to use what you already had at home?

These limitations are only limitations in the superficial sense, because actually, they open your mind to several new possibilities. 

Concrete Steps Toward Creativity and Innovation

1. Set a specific problem or challenge: Identify a small, solvable problem in your life or work (e.g., how to organize your desk more efficiently).
2. Choose 3 tools or resources: Limit yourself to only three tools or items to solve the problem. For example, scissors, string, and a shoebox.
3. Write down possible solutions: Challenge yourself to come up with at least five creative ways to solve the problem using only those tools.
4. Think like a minimalist: Imagine you have to solve the problem with no access to technology or external help.
5. Ask “What if?”: Pose questions like, “What if I had to do this in under 10 minutes?” or “What if I had to explain this solution to a child?”
6. Test your solution: Try out your ideas practically and assess how well they work.
7. Reflect and iterate: After testing, write down what worked and what didn’t, and how the limitations pushed you to think differently.

#2: Break your routine. 

We are creatures of habit. 

In many ways, this is an incredible strength. 

When it comes to creativity though, it can hinder us. 

Habit shapes the way we see the world, and how we distribute our attention. By breaking out of this, we incrementally get to see the world from a new angle every time. 

Instead of eating the same recipe for dinner, try something new. Try vacationing in a new spot. Try listening to a new genre of music. 

Sometimes what we crave is the familiar, and that’s okay. 

But when we get stuck, or feel like we aren’t making progress, a little shift can be just what we need. 

Concrete Steps Toward Creativity and Innovation

1. Choose one daily activity to change: Identify something you do every day, like your commute, your lunch break, or your workout.
2. Plan one small change: Decide how you’ll do this differently. For example, take a different route, eat a meal from a different cuisine, or do your workout outdoors.
3. Explore a new medium or skill: Find a free resource online to try something new, such as watching a YouTube tutorial on origami or listening to a podcast outside your usual topics.
4. Interact with new people: If possible, initiate a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally talk to, even just a brief chat.
5. Notice and record the changes: Write down how this change made you feel, any unexpected observations, and what you learned.
6. Repeat daily for variety: Commit to one small routine-breaker every day for a week to build momentum.
7. Be open to discomfort: Remind yourself that unfamiliarity is a sign of growth and lean into it.

#3: Keep a curiosity journal.

Throughout my own life, the benefits of writing have manifested in a plethora of unexpected ways- from the solace of keeping a diary, to the intellectual fulfillment of hosting a blog. 

Yet another facet of my journaling habit that has hugely benefited me is keeping a small notebook to simply write down the things I’m curious about – an idea I want to explore, or a book I want to read. 

It can even be as simple as a thought-provoking question or a clever phrasing. 

Writing down what you’re curious about ensures that you remember it.

It creates a springboard for you to dive deeper into your interests, or to simply become aware of them in the first place. 

Ultimately, it is a habit of self-awareness, signaling to yourself “this is something I want to learn about”, “this is what I believe”, “this is who I want to become”, or “this is why the world is beautiful to me”.

Concrete Steps Toward Creativity and Innovation

1. Find or create a journal: Use a notebook, an app, or even a stack of sticky notes to collect your ideas.
2. Take 5 minutes to observe: Look at your surroundings with fresh eyes and jot down anything that sparks your curiosity. For example, how a particular building is designed or why your coffee cup is shaped the way it is.
3. Think like a child: Ask “Why?” about everything, no matter how simple or obvious it seems.
4. Add invention ideas: Write down any ideas for new products, solutions, or art—even if they seem unrealistic.
5. Revisit and build on ideas: Review your journal weekly to identify patterns or ideas worth exploring further.
6. Share your curiosity: Ask others about the things they’ve noticed or wondered about—it could inspire you further.

Thought To Action 

1. Ask Unconventional Questions: Practice questioning assumptions, e.g., “What’s the opposite approach to solving this?”
2. Keep a Curiosity Journal: Note down observations about how things work or ideas for inventions, no matter how small.
3. Try DIY Experiments: Use simple household items to recreate basic scientific experiments or art projects.
4. Nature Art Observation: Spend 10 minutes observing a tree, leaf, or pattern in nature. Sketch or write about its design and possible applications in everyday life.
5. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing. 

Sources

Chacón-López, Helena, and Ana Maeso-Broncano. “Creative Development, Self-Esteem and Barriers to Creativity in University Students of Education according to Their Participation in Artistic Activities.” Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 48, June 2023, p. 101270, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101270.

Cohan, Deborah J. “The Importance of Creativity | Psychology Today United Kingdom.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 1 Oct. 2022, www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/social-lights/202210/the-importance-of-creativity. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

Nordin, Norshidah, and Mellisa Malik. “Undergraduates’ Barriers to Creative Thought and Innovative in a New Millennial Era.” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 201, Aug. 2015, pp. 93–101, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.08.136. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

The post 3 Easy Ways To Unleash Creativity and Innovation To Finally Start Thinking Outside the Box appeared first on Green Also Green.

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates

Too often, we get caught up in echo chambers. Whether it’s only surrounding yourself with those from the same cultural or professional background, or only reading news from one side of the political spectrum, constantly feeding your mind with ideas and belief exactly like yours can stifle growth and problem-solving ability. One of the easiest ways to break out of this echo chamber is to learn how to start a conversation.

This way, your growth is accelerated and your problem-solving skills develop effortlessly. 

Interested? 

Well, you’re in luck.

As you continue reading, not only will you learn some of the best tips for how to start a conversation, but also for learning as much as possible from those with different experiences than yours. 

The best part?

You can start applying these steps in less than 24 hours! Give it a shot next time you are waiting in line at the grocery or standing in an elevator with strangers. 

#1: Use Curiosity as Your Opening Line

When you don’t know anything about the person or their field, your curiosity becomes your most powerful tool. Instead of generic icebreakers, try opening with:

• A curiosity-driven question about their field:
  “You seem like someone who works on interesting challenges—what’s something you’re currently excited about in your field?”
• A curiosity-driven compliment:
  “I’m always fascinated by people who work in areas I don’t understand. What’s something cool or unexpected about your field?”

These approaches signal genuine interest and invite them to talk about themselves.

#2: Lead with an Observation

If you can’t research the person, observe the context. Whether you’re at a conference, event, or casual setting, use the environment to frame your conversation:

• Event-specific:
  “This [presentation/event/exhibit] is fascinating. What’s your take on it from your perspective?”
• General context:
  “I noticed [a detail about their appearance, behavior, or materials]. Is that connected to your work in any way?”

For example, if they’re holding a notebook with sketches, you might say: “Those sketches look intriguing—are they part of a project you’re working on?”

#3: Leverage the Power of the “Teach Me” Approach

Most people love explaining their expertise, especially to someone genuinely interested in learning. Frame your question to invite them to teach:

• “If I wanted to understand one key concept in your field, where would I start?”
• “What’s one idea from your work that you think would blow someone’s mind?”

This not only flatters them but also creates an opportunity for a deeper conversation.

#4: Introduce Your Field in a Relatable Way

While it’s easy to feel intimidated by a person from a different field, sharing what you do can level the playing field:

• Use a simple analogy: “In my work, I think of [problem X] like a puzzle. Does your field have a similar dynamic?”
• Highlight transferable concepts: “In [my field], we think a lot about optimizing systems. I’d love to hear how that plays into what you do.”

This shifts the conversation into a space where your fields can overlap.

#5: Ask About Their Challenges or Problems

People are often more excited to talk about the challenges they’re solving than about their job title or general responsibilities. Try asking:

• “What’s a problem you’re really interested in solving right now?”
• “What’s one thing that’s surprisingly hard in your work?”

This sparks a conversation that goes beyond surface-level descriptions of their field and into the heart of their day-to-day experience.

#6: Bring Up Big, Cross-Disciplinary Questions

Even without specific knowledge of their field, big-picture topics are likely to resonate:

• “What do you think is the next big thing in your field?”
• “How do you see your field connecting to other areas, like [your field] or something else entirely?”

This positions you as someone thinking beyond silos and opens the door to collaborative brainstorming.

#7: Use Hypotheticals and “What If” Scenarios

A great way to engage someone is to invite them into a speculative or imaginative discussion:

• “If you could redesign your field from scratch, what would you change?”
• “What’s one thing people outside your field should care about, even if they don’t realize it yet?”

These questions allow the conversation to explore ideas rather than just facts, making it more engaging and memorable.

#8: Leverage Humor and Authenticity

Don’t underestimate the power of a light-hearted comment to break the ice. For example:

• “I’m going to guess—are you the person here who can solve [wildly inaccurate assumption about their field]? Because I could use some of that magic in [your field].”

This playfully admits your ignorance while inviting them to correct you, leading to a natural conversation.

#9: Use Silence as a Tool

When someone gives you a brief or generic answer, resist the urge to fill the silence immediately. Instead:

• Nod and look expectantly—most people will feel compelled to elaborate.
• Follow up with: “Tell me more about that—it sounds interesting.”

This subtle technique encourages them to open up without pressuring the

#10: Keep the Energy Reciprocal

Even if you start without much knowledge, aim to make the conversation a two-way exchange. If they explain something complex, try responding with:

• “That’s fascinating—it reminds me of [something analogous from your field or experience]. How does it compare?”
• “I never thought about it that way. In my work, we deal with [similar challenge]—do you think there’s a connection?”

This positions you as an engaged participant rather than just a passive listener.

#11: End with a Gratitude Anchor

As you conclude, leave them with a positive impression by thanking them sincerely:

• “Thanks for sharing—I feel like I just got a mini masterclass in [their field].”
• “This has been so enlightening. You’ve given me a lot to think about for my own work.”

This not only reinforces the value of the conversation but also leaves the door open for future interactions.

How To Start A Conversation: A Visual Guide

Thought to Action 

1. Volunteer In Unfamiliar Spaces: Join volunteer activities in areas like urban gardening, education outreach, or tech mentorship. These environments are natural conversation starters with people from diverse fields.
2. Use Libraries or Makerspaces: Visit public libraries, innovation hubs, or makerspaces, where professionals and hobbyists often work on diverse projects, and ask about what they’re building.
3. Host an “Idea Exchange” Gathering: Organize informal meetups with friends or colleagues from different fields where everyone shares one problem or innovation from their work.
4. Visit Art Galleries & Museums: Use cultural or tech exhibitions as a springboard for conversations, and for re-evaluating the perspective from which you are currently problem-solving. 
5. Ask For Advice: Approach people by framing your interest as a request: “I’m thinking about [challenge]. Do you see any connections with what you do?” Individuals from other cultural and professional backgrounds are bound to have a fresh perspective to whatever you are working on. 

Sources

No external sources were used for this post.

The post How To Start A Conversation With Someone From Any Field appeared first on Green Also Green.

“AI is neither good nor evil. It’s a tool. It’s a technology for us to use.” — Oren Etzioni, AI researcher

The AI revolution has crept into almost every industry, and healthcare is no different. In fact, the effects of using AI in the healthcare industry have had revolutionary impacts, leading to ground-breaking solutions that offer valuable lessons to other industries. 

Today, let’s dive into some examples of where AI has seen successful applications in the healthcare industry, and what we can learn from them. 

#1: Early Cancer Detection

Cancer leads to millions of deaths every year, creating not only a heavy weight on the healthcare industry, but also a tremendous emotional burden on countless families worldwide. 

Imagine if you could get diagnosed early enough to prevent death. 

Now, that is more accessible than ever. 

With tools that support individuals to more effectively self-diagnose as opposed to just relying on Dr. Google to make sense of their symptoms, early cancer detection AI tools could begin to ease the burden of losing a loved on to cancer, and the weight on the healthcare industry to support patients who are in the later stages of a fatal diagnosis. 

#2: Neurological Diagnosis

Neurology has a reputation for simultaneously being an incredibly high-stakes field to work in while also being beautifully (and frustratingly) complex. 

Naturally, there is little room for error when it comes to taking care of a brain. 

Still, from automating image interpretation tasks to accurately identifying brain structures, detecting abnormalities, and predicting different treatment outcomes, AI has already acted as a huge help to practitioners in the field of neurology. 

However, there is still a long way to go in developing more effective methods of integrating data science into healthcare. 

#3: Chatbots For Preliminary Diagnosis

Last but not least is Dr. GPT, who we find ourselves unknowingly putting greater and greater trust in as the days go by.

Available at the fingertips of anyone with internet connection, the increasing number of chatbots available to effectively screen patients is making healthcare more equitable than ever before.

While we are not ready to do away with human doctors and nurses just yet, AI chatbots can still help to streamline preliminary diagnosis through administrative tasks, para-clinical tasks (“consensus-building with multidisciplinary teams”), research, and education. 

In a world where healthcare feels out of reach for many, the importance of cutting costs and increasing accessibility cannot be overstated.

AI In HealthCare: Interdisciplinary Takeaways

1. Data-Driven Decision-Making

Steps:

1. Identify Key Metrics: What data is most relevant to your goals or challenges? E.g., student test scores in education or project completion times in construction.
2. Choose AI Tools: Use platforms like Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, or industry-specific AI tools.
3. Analyze Patterns: Look for trends, outliers, and correlations.
4. Make Predictions: Use data to forecast future scenarios.
5. Act on Insights: Implement changes based on predictions and measure the outcomes.

Questions to Explore:

• What specific decisions in your field could benefit from deeper data insights?
• Are there underutilized data sources you can access?
• What tools are available for data analysis?

Example:
Walmart uses AI to analyze sales data and predict inventory needs, optimizing stock levels to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.

2. Early Problem Detection

Steps:

1. Map Risk Areas: Identify vulnerabilities in your processes (e.g., structural weaknesses in engineering or environmental risks in conservation).
2. Implement Sensors or Monitoring Systems: Use IoT devices or AI tools to track critical data points.
3. Set Thresholds for Alerts: Establish early warning indicators.
4. Take Preventive Action: Develop action plans for when thresholds are breached.

Questions to Explore:

• What are the biggest risks in your field?
• What types of data could signal early warnings?
• How can you involve your team in defining response protocols?

Example:
Conservationists use AI-powered systems like Wildbook to analyze data on wildlife populations, identifying species at risk of extinction early enough to take corrective action.

3. Personalization

Steps:

1. Understand Your Audience: Collect data on user needs and preferences.
2. Leverage AI for Segmentation: Use AI tools to group users or customers by behavior, demographics, or goals.
3. Design Tailored Experiences: Create content, services, or solutions that address specific needs.
4. Measure and Iterate: Continuously analyze engagement and satisfaction metrics.

Prompts:

• How can AI help you better understand your audience?
• What data can you use to improve personalization?

Example:
Duolingo uses AI to personalize language lessons, adapting to each user’s pace, strengths, and weaknesses, resulting in higher retention and user satisfaction.

4. Automation of Routine Tasks

Steps:

1. List Repetitive Tasks: Identify tasks that consume significant time but require minimal creativity.
2. Choose Automation Tools: Use tools like Zapier, UiPath, or custom AI solutions.
3. Implement Workflows: Develop and test automated processes.
4. Reallocate Time: Focus freed-up resources on strategic activities.

Questions to Explore:

• What tasks in your workflow could be automated?
• How much time could automation save your team?

Example:
GE uses AI-powered software to automate routine inspections of jet engines, reducing downtime and improving accuracy.

5. Real-Time Monitoring and Feedback

Steps:

1. Install Monitoring Systems: Deploy sensors or AI tools to gather real-time data.
2. Set Up Dashboards: Use platforms to visualize and interpret data.
3. Provide Instant Feedback: Share actionable insights with relevant stakeholders.
4. Optimize Responsiveness: Create processes to act on real-time feedback quickly.

Prompts:

• Where in your workflow could real-time monitoring improve efficiency?
• How can you ensure the data is actionable?

Example:
SmartCap uses AI-powered sensors in mining helmets to monitor workers’ fatigue levels in real time, reducing accidents and improving safety.

6. Scaling Solutions for Accessibility

Steps:

1. Identify Underserved Areas: Where are there gaps in access to your services or solutions?
2. Leverage AI Platforms: Use AI-powered tools to deliver solutions at scale (e.g., Coursera for education or drones for conservation).
3. Partner Strategically: Work with organizations to expand reach.
4. Measure Impact: Track metrics like reach, engagement, and effectiveness.

Questions to Explore:

• How can AI expand access to your offerings?
• Who are your target underserved populations?

Example:
Microsoft’s AI for Accessibility program uses AI to develop tools for people with disabilities, such as Seeing AI for the visually impaired.

7. Predictive Analytics

Steps:

1. Define Objectives: What future outcomes do you want to predict?
2. Collect Historical Data: Gather relevant datasets.
3. Use Predictive Tools: Platforms like Google Cloud’s AutoML or IBM Watson.
4. Plan for Scenarios: Develop strategies for likely predictions.

Questions to Explore:

• How can predictive insights improve your decision-making?
• What trends or outcomes are most critical in your field?

Example:
UPS uses AI-powered predictive analytics to optimize delivery routes, saving millions in fuel costs and improving efficiency.

8. Training and Upskilling

Steps:

1. Assess Skill Gaps: Identify what your team needs to learn.
2. Implement Training Programs: Use AI-powered platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or custom solutions.
3. Incorporate AI Tools: Introduce tools that align with new workflows.
4. Foster Continuous Learning: Encourage regular skill development.

Prompts:

• What new AI tools could enhance your work?
• How can you make learning a routine part of your team’s culture?

Example:
Adobe offers AI training to designers, helping them master AI-driven tools like Adobe Sensei for automated creative workflows.

Thought to Action 

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset for Upskilling: Treat AI as a tool for continuous learning. Take incremental steps to learn new technologies or approaches, regardless of your expertise level.
2. Leverage AI for Personal Development: Use AI-powered platforms to enhance your skills, such as language learning apps (Duolingo) or career coaching tools (LinkedIn Learning).
3. Integrate AI into Problem-Solving: Use AI tools to analyze and break down complex problems into manageable parts, leveraging insights to develop creative and data-backed solutions.
4. Develop a Personal AI Project: Apply what you’ve learned by creating a small project where AI plays a central role, such as automating a personal task or analyzing data from your hobbies or interests.
5. Identify Inefficiencies in Your Workflow: Analyze your current workflow for repetitive or time-consuming tasks and explore AI-powered tools to address these inefficiencies.

Sources

Ahmad, I. and Fahad Alqurashi (2024). Early Cancer Detection Using Deep Learning and Medical Imaging: A Survey. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, pp.104528–104528. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104528.

Au Yeung, J., Wang, Y.Y., Kraljevic, Z. and T H Teo, J. (2022). Artificial intelligence (AI) for neurologists: do digital neurones dream of electric sheep? [online] Bmj.com. Available at: https://pn.bmj.com/content/23/6/476 [Accessed 6 Jan. 2025].

Kalani, M. and Anjankar, A. (2024). Revolutionizing Neurology: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Diagnosis and Treatment. Cureus, [online] 16(6), p.e61706. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.61706.

Kharat, P.B., Kabir Suman Dash, L. Rajpurohit, Tripathy, S. and Mehta, V. (2024). Revolutionizing healthcare through Chat GPT: AI is accelerating medical diagnosis. Oral oncology, pp.100222–100222. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oor.2024.100222.

Reardon, S. (2023). AI Chatbots Can Diagnose Medical Conditions at Home. How Good Are They? [online] Scientific American. Available at: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-chatbots-can-diagnose-medical-conditions-at-home-how-good-are-they/ [Accessed 6 Jan. 2025].

Soerjomataram, I., Bray, F., Stewart, B.W., Elisabete Weiderpass and Wild, C.P. (2020). Global trends in cancer incidence and mortality. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606460/ [Accessed 7 Jan. 2025].

You, Y. and Gui, X. (2021). Self-Diagnosis through AI-enabled Chatbot-based Symptom Checkers: User Experiences and Design Considerations. AMIA … Annual Symposium proceedings. AMIA Symposium, [online] 2020, pp.1354–1363. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33936512/ [Accessed 21 Oct. 2024].

The post AI in Healthcare: 8 Universal Lessons For Guaranteed Success appeared first on Green Also Green.

“If you torture the data long enough, it will confess.” — Ronald Coase, Economist

Data. We know that in today’s world, it is practically another form of currency. However, despite the massive amount available, most of us still remain largely unable to interpret storytelling with data. 

Both fortunately and unfortunately, this skill has never been more critical. 

Unfortunately- because this skill is so rare. 

Fortunately- because if you know how to harness it in the right way, you will hold immense power. 

What am I talking about?

Storytelling.  

The importance of stories has been an integral component of human history since before we could even capture them in written form. Stories are how we warn future generations, how we teach, how we comfort, and how we invoke feelings in each other. 

No matter who you are or what stage you are in your career, knowing how to use data to tell a story will not only lend you empirical credibility, but also emotional credibility. 

Combining these two highly effective methods will make you unstoppable. 

Storytelling With Data Technique #1: Use Data to Identify Discrepancies

The first technique we will discuss is to use data to identify discrepancies. What does this mean?

There is a lot of data available, and usually, interpreting it is not a straightforward task. 

Statistical tests can be used to determine whether results are statistically and practically significant, but it is still up to us to decide how the significance of any given results feeds into the story we tell about our own performance, business, scientific discovery, or campaign for social good. 

To create a compelling story, highlight contrasts in the data, and explore the nuances others are afraid to touch. 

Apply It!

1. Examine Your Data for Outliers
   • Are there data points that deviate significantly from the rest?
   • Example: While analyzing customer satisfaction scores, you find a region with consistently lower ratings despite similar service levels.
2. Spot Contradictions
   • Do the trends contradict assumptions or expectations?
   • Example: Your data shows that customers aged 18-24 prefer a product feature designed for older demographics.
3. Highlight Missed Opportunities
   • Are there gaps in performance or coverage?
   • Example: A dataset on healthcare access reveals underserved rural areas despite high national averages.
4. Link Discrepancies to Key Questions
   • What story does this discrepancy tell? How can it frame a problem or opportunity?
   • Example: The gap in customer satisfaction rates can highlight a need for targeted regional initiatives.

Storytelling With Data Technique #2: Pair Data With Case Studies

Numbers are cold. 

So give them some humanity.

Storytelling is about invoking emotions in others, so make sure the statistics you use to illustrate your point are also paired with examples. 

Dive deep into the cold, hard numbers by shining a light on the individual cases that make up that statistic. 

Apply It!

1. Identify Relevant Case Studies
   • What real-world examples align with your data insights?
   • Example: When analyzing educational data, find a school that implemented a successful program improving student performance.
2. Show the Human Impact
   • Who does this data affect, and how?
   • Example: Data showing increased income inequality is paired with a story of a single parent struggling to afford childcare.
3. Bridge the Micro and Macro
   • How does the case study illustrate broader trends in the data?
   • Example: A local renewable energy project exemplifies the nationwide rise in solar adoption.
4. Focus on Narrative Flow
   • How does this case study bring the data to life?
   • Example: A graph of decreasing homelessness rates is paired with an interview of a formerly homeless individual benefiting from housing policies.

Storytelling With Data Technique #3: Leverage Comparative Analysis

Any good story depicts some sort of change or difference. 

That’s just what comparative analysis is- depicting changes through data. It’s about comparing different datasets or studies, zooming in on “before and after”. 

Why does comparative analysis matter?

Because it is the call to action. 

Regardless of your story, the call to action is its purpose. 

Whether you are convincing an employer to hire you, an investor to take a chance on your startup, or a reader to buy your book, the effectiveness of your use of data ultimately boils down to whether it leads others to act in the desired way. 

So highlight comparisons in the data and create a compelling call to action.     

Apply It!

1. Choose Comparison Variables
   • What variables make sense to compare? (e.g., time periods, demographics, regions)
   • Example: Compare sales before and after a marketing campaign to assess its impact.
2. Find Key Differences
   • What significant variations stand out in the comparison?
   • Example: In a survey of work-life balance, remote workers report higher satisfaction than in-office employees.
3. Use Ratios or Percentages
   • How can relative measures make the comparison more meaningful?
   • Example: Instead of saying 100 more people attended an event, state that attendance increased by 20%.
4. Visualize Comparisons
   • How can visuals make the comparison clearer?
   • Example: Use side-by-side bar charts to compare revenue by product category.
5. Draw Conclusions
   • What story does the comparison tell? What actions does it suggest?
   • Example: Comparing customer satisfaction across regions reveals that personalized service significantly improves ratings.

A Visual Guide To Storytelling With Data

To summarize these three techniques and start using data to tell the story you want, use the flowchart below!

Thought to Action 

1. Spark Conversations: Encourage your audience to question, discuss, and explore the data, turning your story into a collaborative learning experience.
2. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing. 
3. Identify Trends in Happiness: Use journaling or mood-tracking apps to correlate daily habits with emotional well-being and tell a story of what works for you.
4. Link Data to Decision-Making: Use your findings to provide actionable insights or solutions to real-world problems, bridging the gap between analysis and impact.
5. Cross-Pollinate Disciplines: Apply insights from multiple fields (like psychology, design, and communication) to craft multidimensional and engaging data stories.

Sources

No external resources were used in this post. 

The post 3 Powerful Techniques For Storytelling With Data appeared first on Green Also Green.

“We’re not building technology to replace care; we’re building it to make care better.” – Greg Corrado

The AI revolution has, by now, reached into every crevice of life, including (but not limited to) healthcare.

From education, research, law, and various artistic mediums, it has become the trusty unpaid intern of the world. 

However, it is also an incredible example of how collaboration across multiple disciplines yields groundbreaking advancements. 

Yes, healthcare is only one of these domains that have been completely revolutionized, but understanding where you fit into the revolution is crucial. 

Not only does it allow you to engage with your own healthcare in a completely new way, but it also allows you to understand how to effectively apply AI tools in your own field, applying the shortcomings and successes of AI to your own professional challenges.

So let’s dive into this success story, and how you can easily understand what all the hype is about, no matter your background. 

How To Learn About AI In Healthcare

To effectively learn from resources online takes not only discipline, but creativity, curiosity, and most importantly, application. 

This doesn’t necessarily have to manifest as a project or a new business venture. “Applying” what you learn can be as simple as sharing insights from it in conversation, expanding on and engaging with its principles alongside others. 

Often, instead of doing this, we stick to just skimming what we read, and asking ourselves if we understand everything at the end. This does not truly serve the purpose that informational material is meant to have, which in reality, is to serve as a tool to catalyze informed action. 

To learn about how AI has been applied in the healthcare industry, this is the same. 

To retain what you learn from the following resources, share with others, talk about the ideas you come across, and ask yourself how AI can solve problems you already face in your own life. 

#1: Books 

We have all read books before, but few of us have read books in a way that maximizes the output of our time. 

Below are easy steps you can follow that will easily make you feel like an expert after finishing reading just one book about AI in healthcare. 

1. Identify your goal. Why are you reading this book? Before you start reading, write down the key ideas you believe make this book align with your purpose. 
2. Skim. Look through the table of contents, introduction, and the beginnings and ends of each chapter to glean the high-value ideas of each section. Note these down, and identify which sections you expect to get the most value from (if any).
3. Dive Deeper. Now that you have an idea of what to expect from each section, determine if you will read the entire book, or if you believe only a few sections will be valuable to you. Have no mercy- do what will give you the most value. 
4. Actively read. Now that you have a plan, execute it. Don’t feel restricted by the need to write everything down, or ruthlessly highlight, but make sure to document any ideas that really stand out to you, whether on your phone, in a notebook, or in the margins of the page. 
5. Reflect. You have finished the book, and you are eager to move onto something else. To satisfy this impulse, go right on ahead, but first, quickly set a block in your calendar, either a week or a month from finishing the book, to assess your progress in implementing the ideas into your life. When this block comes, set clear, simple tasks that you can do to apply what you have learned. 

AI In Healthcare Reading suggestions:

1. Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again by Eric Topol
2. “Healthcare Disrupted: Next Generation Business Models and Strategies” by Jeff Elton and Anne O’Riordan
3. “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: The Future is Bright” by Parag Mahajan

#2: Web Platforms & Blogs 

One of the most prolific resources available to anyone with an internet connection is website platforms. 

However, because they are also so new, few know how to use them properly. Today, you will cease to be one of those people. 

Here are X straightforward steps to getting the most out of the infinite online resources available to us all. 

1. Define Your Immediate Goal (2 minutes). Ask yourself: What is one actionable outcome I want from this reading?
2. Use Targeted Curation Techniques. Use content aggregators such as Feedly or Pocket to curate articles and blog posts about the content you want to see (e.g. AI in healthcare).
3. Set weekly micro-actions. Based on your readings, take an action that requires fewer than 5 minutes to do within a week’s time (e.g. signing up for a relevant event, following a new industry voice on social media, etc.)

#3: TED Talks

To make the most of a TED Talk, approach the experience like reading a book or an article. Outline what you are hoping to achieve, and make each step of the process an intentional progression toward that goal. 

1. Identify your goal. What question do you want to be answered from this TED Talk? Before watching, write down the key ideas you believe will align this talk with your purpose. 
2. Search Intentionally. Use keywords that align with your purpose to search for talks that will help you accomplish your goal.
3. Adopt The “One-Sentence Insight” Technique. After watching a TED Talk, summarize its essence in one actionable sentence.
4. Use “Auditory Recall Anchors”. To help retain the information that you learn, record a 1-2 minute voice memo summarizing your key takeaways. Review these memos during commutes or workouts.
5. Implement Immediate Application. Set yourself a 24-hour challenge to apply what you have learned immediately. Ask what can I do with this knowledge in the next day?

AI In Healthcare TED Talk To Start You Off…

• Can AI Catch What Doctors Miss? Physician-scientist Eric Topol discusses how AI models can interpret medical images with remarkable accuracy, potentially identifying details that human eyes might overlook
• Can AI Help Develop New Medicines? Computational biologist Aviv Regev explores how AI can expedite the drug development process, analyzing vast datasets to create precise medications for patients.
• How AI Can Heal Healthcare Dr. Edmund Jackson illustrates how AI can simplify complex healthcare processes, enhancing efficiency and improving patient outcomes.
• Navigating the AI Future of Health Care Benjamin Collins discusses aligning AI and digital medicine with patient and community interests, highlighting the potential of AI to reduce health disparities.
• How Doctors Can Help AI to Revolutionize Medicine Greg Corrado, co-founder of the Google Brain team, shares his vision for AI’s role in healthcare and the importance of doctors in this technological revolution.

Thought to Action

1. Self-Educate: Use free online resources to enhance your education and overall problem-solving abilities. 
2. Be Skeptical: Apply these key lessons from the field of journalism as you read about a new topic. Use this understanding to understand the true story behind what you are presented. 
3. Apply Biomimicry: Use lessons from the medical field, or human biology generally, to influence technological advances in AI software. 
4. Network: Attend an AI in Healthcare networking event to expand your connections with others interested in healthcare innovation. 
5. Support Yourself: Look out for your health more effectively by using these AI hacks. 

Sources

(See each section for recommendations of sources to explore. No additional sources were used to write this post.)

The post AI in Healthcare: The Ultimate Cheatcode For Interdisciplinary Innovation appeared first on Green Also Green.