Men are statistically more prone to health conditions that lead to death, whereas women typically experience a longer duration of living in poor health; indeed, women spend 25% more of their lives in ill health compared to men. This phenomenon illustrates what is referred to as the gender health gap.
When women visit hospitals, they face disparities such as less frequent assessments of their pain levels compared to men. Additionally, when women are treated for pain, there is often a longer wait time for receiving treatment. For health conditions affecting only women, there may be a lack of satisfactory treatments available. Furthermore, medications prescribed to women often show reduced efficacy or result in side effects, as these medications are predominantly tested on men. Research indicates that even for conditions affecting both genders, women tend to receive later diagnoses than men.
These issues stem from multiple systemic failures both within society and the health care sector. The presence of sexism in health systems contributes to the dismissal and misdiagnosis of women’s symptoms. Clinical trials are frequently designed with a predominance of male participants. There is also a bias in research funding, with insufficient resources allocated to conditions exclusively affecting women or to understanding how certain diseases impact women specifically. Medical education often lacks adequate focus on women’s health issues.
A recent report by the McKinsey Health Institute highlights the gender health gap as an opportunity with the potential to generate $1 trillion in improved living conditions and economic benefits, underscoring the global disparity in women’s health care. According to the BMJ, bridging this gap in the UK could inject £39 billion ($51 billion) into the British economy, along with saving lives and enhancing the well-being of millions, irrespective of gender.
Nearly two years since the UK unveiled its first Women’s Health Strategy, aimed at enhancing women’s health over a decade, the UK Department of Health has announced plans to introduce “patient passports.” These digital records of health data, accessible by different health care providers, aim to accelerate patient care and minimize errors. In response, WIRED has consulted with experts across various health disciplines to explore potential changes that could swiftly and effectively improve women’s health.
Implement Early Screening Programs for PCOS
Karen Joash, a leading specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, emphasizes the necessity of early screening for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting around 10% of women of reproductive age globally. Despite being prevalent, PCOS often suffers from a significant delay in diagnosis, which can result in numerous long-term health repercussions. Prioritizing the reduction of this delay should be a governmental focus due to its significant impact on public health.
A lack of health education contributes to the delayed diagnosis, as many women remain unaware of PCOS symptoms, such as irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth in typical low-hair areas, and acne. If left unaddressed, PCOS can lead to severe long-term issues, including cardiovascular disease, infertility, and impaired glucose metabolism, all of which drastically reduce quality of life and increase health care costs.