Disparities in Women's Healthcare

Gender bias in healthcare is a major issue in the healthcare system worldwide. In the United States, women are often not taken seriously when they go to their doctors for help, and this can be extremely dangerous, particularly when it comes to pain. Oftentimes, when a woman is complaining of pain, providers often believe they are overexaggerating, or attribute it to mental health disorders such as anxiety. According to a study conducted by the University of Rhode Island, men were twice as likely to receive narcotics than women after receiving surgery. Additionally, women were more likely to be prescribed sedatives rather than narcotics for their pain after receiving surgery. Another study published by the New England Journal of Medicine showed that women are 7 times more likely to be misdiagnosed and sent home during a heart attack. A study conducted by Cedars Sinai found that women were also more likely to die during surgery, especially if the surgery was performed by a male surgeon. In our Medchem class on Monday, we learned that insurers could charge women more than men for the same coverage until the Affordable Care Act. 

Gender bias in healthcare is a problem in many countries, but one thing to note regarding the treatment of women in the United States, is the treatment of pregnant women. The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal deaths compared to all other wealthy countries, and more than 84% of these deaths were preventable. The U.S. has the highest rate of cesarean sections and inadequate prenatal care, leading to these deaths. 

This is unsurprising, but very disappointing. This problem stems from much deeper reasons than just healthcare providers being ignorant or having their own bias. The medical field has been built on research conducted primarily on white, male patients. Even more recently, studies tend to have more male participants than female participants and thus research is still limited for the treatment of women. The same study published by the New England Journal of Medicine noted that of patients suffering from chronic pain, 70% of these are women. However, 80% of studies focusing on pain are conducted on male patients. 

I have unfortunately experienced the same bias throughout my life, and many of my friends have as well. I have been relatively lucky with my doctors, and I have been able to advocate for myself, but patients shouldn’t have to advocate for themselves to get quality care. Patients who are not as privileged, who have limited access to healthcare, or who do not have any medical training are not able to advocate for themselves as well. It is frustrating, that this bias exists within the healthcare system, especially because it impacts so many people. I understand that we are privileged to have the medical technology that we have, but systematic change needs to happen. 

Resources:

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/women-and-pain-disparities-in-experience-and-treatment-2017100912562#:~:text=Women%20with%20chronic%20pain%20may%20suffer%20more%20and%20longer%20than%20men&text=We%20wait%20an%20average%20of,serious%20and%20sometimes%20fatal%20repercussions.

2. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/03/11/Researcher-says-women-less-likely-to-get-painkillers/2047605595600/

3. https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/05/health/us-women-health-care/index.html

4. https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/research/news/cedars-science/2019/examining-gender-bias-in-medical-care.html