Why women are not treated equally in healthcare and what can be done

Abstract

Despite recognized sex-based differences in healthcare requirements, women continue to experience substantial disparities in treatment, diagnosis and research. This ‘gender health gap’ manifests through increased emergency wait times, dismissal of symptoms and inadequate research prioritization. Patient advocacy groups have emerged as powerful forces for change, successfully lobbying governments and raising awareness through social media. Addressing these disparities requires increased research funding, sex-specific study designs, improved medical education curricula and continued patient advocacy.