Recognizing and Understanding the Impacts of Gender Bias in Medicine

Written by: Nishita Karikatti

Gender bias, the preference for one gender over another, is one of the most influential factors in our everyday life, yet it is not talked about at all or overlooked in many cases. Gender bias in our society only seems to increase, and one of the fields that it is especially prevalent is healthcare. Despite some of the advancements in gender equality, subtle and overt biases continue to shape how diseases are understood, diagnosed, and treated differently in men and women. There are many reasons as to why gender bias emerged in healthcare. Historically, medical research has always been centered around male physiology and anatomy since men do not get menstrual cycles or pregnant, making them "easier” subjects. The assumption that these findings would also apply to women's bodies is simply false and has resulted in many misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments. Clinical practice is another area where gender bias frequently leads to underdiagnosis. Women are more likely than men to have their symptoms dismissed or attributed to psychological causes. For example, conditions like chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and mental health disorders are more common in women, but their complaints are often downplayed or attributed to stress, anxiety, or other psychological states rather than being attributed to a physical strain.

These are only a few of the numerous causes of gender bias in the healthcare setting leading to detrimental consequences such as knowledge gaps, delayed diagnoses, inadequate symptom management, avoidance of medical care, abuse, neglect, and death. To address this serious issue within our society, healthcare systems can create more diverse healthcare teams, “raise awareness among healthcare professionals, promote inclusive research that considers gender differences, and implement policies that address diverse gender needs. Gender bias in medicine is a complex issue that affects the everyday lives of countless women and trans-gendered individuals around the world; however, by acknowledging the existence of this bias and working to address it, we can move towards a more equitable healthcare system where people of all genders receive the care they need and deserve. Only by challenging the status quo can we ensure that medical research and practice serve all individuals, regardless of gender.