Gender-sensitive medicine: Researchers call for more equality in health

Gender-sensitive medicine: Researchers call for more equality in health

Research into gender-sensitive medicine has increasingly come to public attention in recent years. At the RWTH Aachen University Hospital in particular, Dr. Sandra Kraemer and Dr. Elisabeth Zechendorf researches gender-specific differences at the cellular level. These distinctions are particularly relevant because typical heart attack symptoms vary between genders. Women often report non-specific complaints such as upper abdominal pain, back pain, shortness of breath and fatigue, while men often experience stabbing chest pain. The aim of the research is comprehensive gender-sensitive medicine that takes into account both biological and sociocultural differences in order to enable targeted treatment that meets the needs of all genders RWTH Aachen reported.

The significant differences in medical care are influenced, among other things, by a research tradition that favors male laboratory animals. According to current figures, around 80% of animals used in research are classified as male. Dr. Kraemer and Dr. Zechendorf therefore advocate the inclusion of female test animals and a separate evaluation of the results. They argue that male cells tend to have stronger inflammatory responses, which could be relevant in studies of treatment outcomes. Interestingly, women with sepsis often present with less severe disease and have a lower death rate.

Growing awareness of gender studies

The relevance of sex organ-sensitive approaches in medicine is also underlined by the Science Council, which recommended intensifying gender research in July 2023. A profile area recently integrated into the curriculum of Aachen's medical degree programs is entitled "Gender and Diversity in Medicine - More than just women and men" and offers students internships that deal with the investigation of inflammatory reactions in male and female cells. The Gender Medicine Working Group, which has been active since 2010, recently organized a networking event with over 50 participants to present and promote gender-sensitive research and treatment methods.

Since the late 1980s, gender medicine has been concerned with the biological and social differences between women and men with regard to health and illness. The main focuses include the investigation of clinical pictures, the analysis of gender-specific risk factors, and the development of specific diagnostic procedures and therapeutic approaches. It is a central task to reduce health inequalities and improve care for both genders, as stated in an article on gender medicine by DocFinder is explained.

The challenges of gender medicine

Gender medicine faces several challenges, including the lack of gender-specific data and the complexity of research. There are massive knowledge gaps in many medical fields that can be traced back to long-standing male-dominated research practices. This leads to problems such as undertreatment or mistreatment of women and inaccurate diagnoses of men. A survey found that biological differences such as chromosomes, hormonal differences and differences in height and weight influence the symptoms and progression of diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this grievance by increasing the gender impact on health. Women are overrepresented in systemically important professions and have often lost their jobs during the crisis. Loud PMC Scientific literature shows that accumulated evidence on gender inequality is often not used. It is necessary to develop concrete measures to limit these inequalities.

The problems mentioned illustrate the urgent need for action in gender medicine and the need for a structural and social realignment. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in implementing gender-sensitive clinical interventions and must be informed about the mechanisms of gender inequality to ensure fair conditions of care for all genders.