Women’s healthcare advocate, author, and retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm has watched the world of healthcare evolve over the last 5+ decades. Today, she offers up answers to some of our most burning questions about the latest advancements in women’s health.
Q: Has artificial intelligence made its way into the healthcare realm?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Absolutely. Most recently, AI is credited with being integrated into mammography analysis to help more accurately identify subtle abnormalities that might be missed by the human eye. While still fairly experimental, the technology can improve accuracy and lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Q: Speaking of breast cancer, how has technology assisted in the treatment of this disease?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Genetic testing has been huge. By taking a simple DNA analysis, doctors can help identify certain gene mutations within a breast cancer tumor. This allows for highly tailored treatment plans that use drugs specifically targeting those gene alterations. This can increase the effectiveness of therapy while minimizing side effects on women.
Q: Has technology made any strides in reproductive health?
Marla Ahlgrimm: It has. Over the last decade or so, contraceptive methods, including IUDs and long-acting reversible contraceptives, have become more effective. Further, as technology continues to find ways to create more comfortable non-hormonal contraceptive options, more women are choosing fertility awareness, copper IUDs, and other more natural alternatives in the quest to remain childfree for longer.
Q: How do you think technology might help with menopause management?
Marla Ahlgrimm: As we continue to learn and understand more about the human body and how it utilizes hormones, we can better tailor hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to each individual. Further, having access to technology allows women to better modify their lifestyles to live healthier, happier lives.
Q: How does technology help prevent diseases?
Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s simple: prevention is the best medicine. As people have additional access to knowledge, information, and health-friendly tools, they can make better decisions. Further, technology can help people keep their bodies moving without being overly strenuous. This is crucially important for older women who may suffer from issues such as diabetes and osteoporosis.
Q: Technology has been great for physical health, but what about mental health?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Technology, and specifically social media, artificial intelligence, and online portals, allow for greater awareness of mental health issues and their associated challenges. Further, technological advances over the last 10 or 20 years have also made research easier, and artificial intelligence can help quickly analyze papers and publications to spot patterns and mental health behaviors that might lead to a greater understanding of these types of struggles.
Q: Do you think technology will ever stop advancing healthcare?
Marla Ahlgrimm: I hope not! Many of the advancements we’ve seen over the last 50 years have come on the heels of technology. One great example is the ultrasound. While the first ultrasound for medical purposes took place back in the 1950s, by 1991, 3-D ultrasound technology allowed for detailed images of living fetuses. This singular breakthrough significantly increased the ability to perform prenatal care.
Marla Ahlgrimm says that there is still no substitute for humans in the world of medicine. However, assisted surgeries, artificial intelligence, and other technological advances can and will continue to help medical professionals improve care for people all over the globe.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,