Digital Health Heavyweights Episode 28: Akifa Khattak, Co-Founder of Her Health AI
Aug 11, 2025
Akifa Khattak, co-founder of Her Health AI, is a healthcare attorney and a fierce advocate for women’s health technology. She shares her personal struggles with endometriosis and the urgent need for better diagnostics. The conversation reveals the staggering 10-year diagnostic timeline for this condition affecting 200 million women globally. Akifa emphasizes breaking taboos, the financial burden of treatment, and how Her Health AI aims to revolutionize women's healthcare with non-invasive solutions. The future of fem-tech is bright, driven by awareness and innovation.
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From Patient To Founder
- Akifa turned her severe, hard-to-diagnose endometriosis into a startup mission after multiple surgeries and treatments.
- She partnered with specialists already using AI to build Her Health AI's non-invasive diagnostic tools.
Prevalence And Diagnostic Delay
- Endometriosis affects about one in ten women and ~200 million worldwide with an average 10-year diagnostic delay.
- The disease causes severe chronic pain and widespread life impacts including work, relationships, and physical activity.
Treat Holistically Post-Diagnosis
- After diagnosis, clinicians typically excise lesions rather than ablate them to improve outcomes.
- Combine surgery with hormonal therapy, pelvic floor therapy, diet, and lifestyle for a holistic recovery plan.