At the prestigious 1 Billion Summit in Dubai, Indian actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu delivered a powerful call to action for women to reclaim authority over their healthcare decisions. The event, recognized as one of the globe’s largest gatherings for content creators, served as the platform for Prabhu’s heartfelt advocacy stemming from her personal battle with an autoimmune disease.
Prabhu recounted the profound disorientation she experienced following her diagnosis, describing an initial period of darkness and confusion. “When I first started looking for answers, I found myself in an overwhelming abyss of information without clear direction,” she revealed. Her journey toward healing required a complete two-year hiatus from her acting career—a privilege she acknowledges isn’t available to everyone.
This recognition inspired the creation of her podcast ‘Take 20’, which aims to democratize access to evidence-based health information. Through expert interviews and candid discussions, the podcast provides listeners with the tools to navigate their wellness journeys with confidence and clarity.
The panel discussion featured insights from celebrity nutritionist Mona Sharma and wellness advocate Shayoon, who expanded on the systemic challenges in women’s healthcare. Sharma highlighted how medical frameworks have historically been designed through a male-centric lens, leading to the dismissal of women’s symptoms. “Technology now enables us to access female-specific research and data that was previously nonexistent,” Sharma noted, emphasizing how digital tools can personalize healthcare understanding.
Shayoon addressed the emotional dimensions of wellness, pointing out that many high-achieving women silently endure chronic stress. She advocated for morning gratitude practices and 40-minute daily meditation sessions as foundational to emotional and physical health. “The prerequisite to everything is addressing what’s happening emotionally,” she asserted. “Without this foundation, reaching one’s highest potential remains elusive.”
Together, these voices formed a unified message: women must challenge outdated medical norms, leverage technology for personalized health insights, and prioritize emotional wellbeing as the cornerstone of comprehensive health management.