Barriers: Gender Gaps & Healthcare

AAHANA SHANKARAN – Women make up 51.1% of the United States population. This is a majority of the population, and yet, examining the history of women in healthcare paints a portrait of subpar treatment, rampant discrimination, and little to no representation in clinical trials. This begs the question: if the healthcare sector does not adequately serve 51.1% of the population, who does it serve?

Women have historically faced repeated marginalization and mistreatment when seeking medical aid. The prevalence of androcentricity in healthcare is indicative of a larger problem in the medical community — the minimization and lack of research done on the health problems plaguing women (Woodward 2019).

In today’s world, women are still sidelined in clinical trials; they have been subject to minimization of physical ailments and a historical overmedicalization of psychiatric ailments (Liu and Mager 2016; Tasca et al. 2012). 

Coronary heart disease (CHD) serves as a prominent example of how women are marginalized in healthcare. In fact, women have double the mortality rate for myocardial infarctions and other forms of coronary heart disease (Kashef 2016). Research shows that a potential cause is that research has been targeted towards men. Even though medical companies justify this disparity claiming that the Any research gleaned from clinical trials on men are then applied to all women patients. This occurs in other areas of medicine as well. For example, women are more likely to be prescribed antipsychotics even though men are the primary subjects of antipsychotic clinical trials.

This brand of repeated, lethal negligence in the healthcare system today begs the question – why are women still being marginalized in healthcare, and what can be done to solve these disparities?

Through the years, slow progress has occurred to increase representation in clinical trials. In 2022, the FDA published Diversity Plans to increase diversity in medical research. Spreading the word of underrepresentation in medical research can urge pharmaceutical companies and genetic research companies to form more inclusive trials. 

Another hurdle facing women in healthcare are the gender biases of the provider. Studies have shown that women facing chronic pain are less likely to be taken seriously and more likely to be accused (albeit indirectly) of exaggeration. This presents a lower likelihood for women to be prescribed pain medication, a higher likelihood of being falsely discharged, and a higher likelihood to be dissatisfied with the healthcare provided.

Studies have shown that women are more comfortable with doctors of their own gender as well, and that they tend to be overall more satisfied with care, treatment plans, and more comfortable sharing symptoms with a female provider (Derose et al, 2001). Men, however, were not shown to have a difference in satisfaction depending on the care of the provider at all. This finding highlights the importance of an equal number  of male and female doctors in the medical field.

It is imperative that anyone seeking to provide care in the healthcare field undergoes gender bias training and learns key differences in providing care for all of their patients.

Impacting gender equity in the healthcare field requires  community effort. Ways to contribute include advocating for equal treatment in healthcare, writing a letter to your representative when an important healthcare bill is being passed, and supporting organizations that allow women to overcome barriers in medical school. With continued persistence for change, the future will hopefully hold a better healthcare field for every one of its patients.

** This article does not differentiate between sex and gender due to limited accurate literature on the subject.

Copy Editor – Janice (Jen) Teal

Photography Source – https://www.cobizmag.com/breaking-the-bias-3-harsh-realities-of-gender-bias-in-healthcare/