Dr. Jennifer Ashton Leaves ‘GMA’ To Start Women’s Wellness Brand
ABC’s chief medical correspondent has launched Ajenda as a free science-backed, weekly newsletter that covers women’s health. Brick-and-mortar locations are also in the works
ABC’s chief medical correspondent and ‘GMA3’ co-host Dr. Jennifer Ashton is parting ways with the network that has been her home since 2012 to devote her full attention to Ajenda, a new women-focused wellness company she founded.
The doctor and media personality began co-hosting GMA3 during the pandemic and recently contributed as an expert during an ABC special hosted by Oprah Winfrey, which discussed obesity and weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Ajenda launched in March as a free science-backed, weekly newsletter that covers women’s health, menopause and weight management and will reportedly expand to video content.
Dr. Ashton, who is double board-certified in OB-GYN and obesity medicine and has a degree in nutrition, noted she has seen firsthand the surging interest in menopausal health and weight management.
“I think that we can all agree that right now, there’s a time like no other for good insight, interpretation and analysis for women’s health and weight loss, weight management, nutrition and obesity medicine,” Dr. Ashton said in a video post on Instagram. Since those are the areas that I’m certified in, that’s what I want to focus on, and I think there’s a massive need.”
While there is no shortage of information, Dr. Ashton pointed out a shortage of how to use it.
“We’ll be covering literally a full spectrum of women’s health issues from perimenopause to menopause, skin, fibroids, even some fertility issues, but really focusing on perimenopause, menopause and how that interfaces with weight management and nutrition and our food habits,” she said.
Brick-and-mortar centers are also “part of the Ajenda” and are in the works for New York City, Los Angeles, and possibly Texas, according to Dr. Ashton.
Ajenda and Dr. Ashton’s attention towards women’s health comes at a pivotal moment as companies in the femtech space continue to emerge.
According to a Q1 2024 report from Deloitte, femtech deal flow has “surged considerably, with momentum throughout the past three years” and an overlap with health and wellness. Approximately one in four femtech expansion-stage deals in 2023 were in the wellness category.
Bone Health Technologies, maker of a smart wearable device that reduces bone density loss of postmenopausal women, recently secured $5 million. Last week, Midi Health, a virtual clinic for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause, secured an additional $60 million in a Series B, bringing its total funding to $100 million.
Postpartum wellness technology has also seen growth with Mavida Health, a mental health support platform for mothers, and the Evie Ring, a wearable smart ring for women from Movano Health that began shipping earlier this year.
