Dr. Anita Phung Spills the Tea on Women's Research and the Data Gap in Longevity
Wed Feb 04 2026
In this episode of HITea, Grace is joined by Anita Phung, MD, Research Physician at Lindus Health, for a thoughtful and timely discussion on how clinical research has historically overlooked women and what that means for diagnosis delays, treatment gaps, and long-term health outcomes.
Together, they unpack why women’s longevity isn’t just about lifestyle hacks or wellness trends, but about who gets studied, how trials are designed, and whose data is actually driving medical decisions. Dr. Phung shares her career journey into clinical research, explains how male-centered trial designs still influence today’s guidelines and health tech, and explores why women remain underrepresented in research, especially during key life stages like perimenopause and menopause.
The conversation also dives into:
How delayed diagnoses quietly compound over time for women
Why decentralized and remote trials are critical for real-world participation
Where the biggest research gaps still exist in women’s aging, hormones, and chronic disease
How women can actively help close the data gap through trials, wearables, and advocacy
As always, we close out HITea With Grace by getting personal, talking about how Dr. Phung does her best work, overcomes challenges, and what advice she has for women navigating healthcare and research today. And of course, we end on a lighter note with tea, mugs, and the stories behind them ☕️
🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends science, systems, and lived experience and challenges us to rethink what it really takes to support women’s long-term health.
Cheers!
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In this episode of HITea, Grace is joined by Anita Phung, MD, Research Physician at Lindus Health, for a thoughtful and timely discussion on how clinical research has historically overlooked women and what that means for diagnosis delays, treatment gaps, and long-term health outcomes. Together, they unpack why women’s longevity isn’t just about lifestyle hacks or wellness trends, but about who gets studied, how trials are designed, and whose data is actually driving medical decisions. Dr. Phung shares her career journey into clinical research, explains how male-centered trial designs still influence today’s guidelines and health tech, and explores why women remain underrepresented in research, especially during key life stages like perimenopause and menopause. The conversation also dives into: How delayed diagnoses quietly compound over time for women Why decentralized and remote trials are critical for real-world participation Where the biggest research gaps still exist in women’s aging, hormones, and chronic disease How women can actively help close the data gap through trials, wearables, and advocacy As always, we close out HITea With Grace by getting personal, talking about how Dr. Phung does her best work, overcomes challenges, and what advice she has for women navigating healthcare and research today. And of course, we end on a lighter note with tea, mugs, and the stories behind them ☕️ 🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends science, systems, and lived experience and challenges us to rethink what it really takes to support women’s long-term health. Cheers!