2023-07-29 15:00:00
Title: Gender Inequality Persists in Women’s Health Care: Rathenau Institute Study
Subtitle: Dutch Women Benefit from Innovations in Cervical Cancer Screening, but Gender Disparities Remain
Date: [Insert Date]
In a recent study conducted by the Rathenau Institute, Jaswina Elahi and Rosanne Edelenbosch shed light on the persisting gender inequalities in women’s healthcare. Despite the proliferation of health apps tailored specifically for women, the medical world continues to operate within a framework where the male body is considered the norm.
Good news has emerged for women in the Netherlands, with the introduction of a self-sampling test replacing the cumbersome and declining pap smear for cervical cancer screening. This technological advancement has the potential to break down barriers to care and improve participation rates. However, the study highlights that there are still several areas in women’s healthcare that require significant improvement.
Elahi and Edelenbosch’s research reveals that women experience side effects from medicines and treatments more frequently than men, and diagnoses are often delayed or overlooked. Furthermore, there is much unknown about women-specific disorders and diseases, leading to different symptoms compared to their male counterparts. This knowledge gap can be attributed, in part, to historical research norms that predominantly focused on the male body.
One glaring example of gender inequality within healthcare is the lack of consideration given to technology used in women’s health screenings. The study indicates that the duckbill, utilized in smear tests, has remained largely unchanged for centuries, offering little regard for women’s comfort and needs.
The researchers point out that the exponential growth of the market for ‘FemTech’ – apps, products, and services aimed at women’s health and well-being – signifies increased attention from researchers, developers, and investors. This trend is encouraging, highlighting progress and the active participation of female technology developers and investors in the FemTech sector.
However, the Rathenau study emphasizes that the mere development of technology focused on women’s health is insufficient to bridge the health gap between men and women. To address this issue, it is vital to tackle the root causes of gender inequality within healthcare. This necessitates active government management and intervention.
The article provides several examples to highlight the existing disparities. It mentions that mammography or heart research technologies, despite advancements, are not readily replaced with new technology that is less invasive or better suited to the female body due to cost and complexity. Additionally, there is a significant data backlog on women’s health compared to men, despite European regulations mandating more inclusive clinical research. The pharmaceutical industry also shows reluctance in investing in research for better medicines for women, as they may compete with existing medications.
Closing the health gap between men and women is undoubtedly a complex task. The article emphasizes the need for technology specifically designed for women, which may not always align with the objective of more efficient healthcare. Closing this gap requires prioritizing women’s health in policy, health services, and research efforts.
Jaswina Elahi and Rosanne Edelenbosch, researchers at the Rathenau Institute, urge policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to ensure that women’s health receives the attention and resources it deserves. By addressing these gender inequalities, the goal of achieving equitable healthcare for all becomes within reach.]
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