{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Global Perspectives on Digital Health","title":"USAID cuts, women's health and leading the right way","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4033,"description":"At the end of last year I got the chance to record the first episode of the show in an actual studio. Still a lot to learn about this versus virtually, but Patty Mecheal was a gracious and very awesome guest. \n\nPatty, CEO of healthenabled brings nearly three decades of mHealth and digital health experience into this discussion we recorded during the Global Digital Health Forum in Nairobi in December 2025.  \nAfter a tumultuous year of policy shifts with USAID funding, WHO shifts and the cascading challenges globally, our conversation examines how we got here and where we need to go when ethics and inclusivity are politically sidelined.\n\n\nWhat we cover:\nThe state of 2025 - USAID cuts and their ripple effects on healthcare and digital health in underserved communities\nLessons from the 1990s to now - what patterns keep repeating, and what fundamental mistakes we're still making\nWomen as decision-makers AND consumers - why this isn't just the \"right thing to do\" (though it is), but represents massive unmet market opportunity\nValue and context in evaluation - how to actually assess digital health and AI tools in ways that matter\nLeadership with values - Patty's honest reflections on what she's learned and gotten wrong\nBuilding responsibly when the incentives don't reward it - what does ethical implementation look like now?\n\nThis episode is for you if you:\nBuild digital health or AI solutions\nMake policy or funding decisions\nResearch or evaluate health interventions\nAre working on impact in women’s health\n\nUnfiltered, real insights from someone who's seen it all. \n\nChapters and Timestamps\n\n00:00 Introduction to Global Perspectives on Digital Health\n01:24 Reflections on the Global Digital Forum\n04:03 Patti's Journey and Background\n08:20 Aha Moments in Public Health\n11:46 The Importance of Data in Health Interventions\n16:01 Learning from low resource settings\n21:55 Building Trust in Digital Health Solutions\n24:50 Balancing Scalability and Trust\n30:22 The Role of...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/hZPIZ-J0wiJx5Bagp4XUMpa5ahoYyL_sqq9C89IZlTc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85ODYz/N2YyYzVkYzhjMjY2/YWQyMjc4YmU3MWM0/YWE2NS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}