Breaking down the gender health gap

What is the gender health gap?

The gender health gap refers to long-term differences in how healthcare is provided to and experienced by women compared to men. It's caused by a historical underrepresentation of women in medical research and bias in healthcare. As a result, women face poorer health outcomes, less access to appropriate care, and lower-quality medical treatment.

According to Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan, Physician in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine, London, UK, this medical gender gap can also affect transgender and non-binary people due to institutional transphobia and discrimination.

Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan

"Disparities are seen in a number of health conditions such as pain management, heart disease and mental health," says the author of UNHEARD: The Medical Practice of Silencing. "There is also a lack of knowledge and services for conditions that affect mostly women such as endometriosis and menopause."

How the gender health gap affects women's health and quality of life

The women's health gap has a severe impact on your physical and mental health and overall quality of life.

Dhairyawan explains this is often due to delayed investigations, medical diagnosis and treatment. She adds that some conditions that affect women more frequently are often misdiagnosed or overlooked.

"These gaps may also affect your economic status if you're unable to work due to illness," she says. "Your close relationships - especially with family - may too be impacted."

Dhairyawan adds that while women may live longer than men, they spend a greater portion of their lives in poor health.

Audio production: Victoria Raw

Visuals: Ben Hudson

The underrepresentation of women in research

Medical research has traditionally focused on men, leaving gaps in our understanding of women's bodies and how they respond to diseases and treatment.

"Women have been historically excluded from drug trials if they may be pregnant or are breastfeeding," says Dhairyawan. "This means that we have little safety data when it comes to using medicines in the perinatal period - leading to possible undertreatment."

The challenges women face in accessing healthcare

Persistent gender inequality in healthcare prevents many women from accessing the care they need.

Dhairyawan highlights a major issue - that women are more likely than men to report feeling unheard, dismissed, or disbelieved by their doctors.

"As well as sexism, certain women may experience further inequalities," Dhairyawan explains. "This may be due to poverty, class, ethnicity, religion, ability, and sexual orientation."

The long-term effects of the gender health gap

You might think the gender health gap only affects women. However, its effects are widespread and impact everyone.

Dhairyawan adds that while initiatives such as the Women’s Health Strategy in England recognise that women have different needs at various stages of life, there's still much more to be done to close the gender health gap.

What you can do to help

The gender health gap is not an issue created by women. Neither should it be our responsibility to bridge the disparities we've faced due to systemic inequalities. It’s a societal issue that requires collective action to address and correct.

Dhairyawan suggests that, despite these challenges, women can become a collective and powerful force for change by uniting their voices as patient groups or organisations.