We need to invest in women's health, not just study it

"Women face unique challenges in getting timely access to the care they need. Many care options are simply inconvenient and often do not meet patients where they are. For example, forcing a busy working mom to take the day off work, driving 30 minutes for a routine screening can be a challenge if having to juggle a 9-5 and childcare too. Many women are caregivers for aging parents or children, compounding the challenge of taking care of oneself."

"Women are the most frequent healthcare decision makers, but also the longest consumers of healthcare (i.e. women live longer than men!) in the economy. While women account for 80% of healthcare decisions, they also make up 65% of the healthcare workforce. They experience more chronic disease, and spend more out-of-pocket, not including maternity costs. They use more prescriptions, attend more appointments, and shape family health behavior."

"Recently, a landmark 40-year study of beta-blockers, one of the most common medications prescribed, demonstrated that adverse effects on women, when taken after specific types of heart attacks. This flew in the face of what I was taught in medical school, though at that time there weren't enough studies with women participants and the information just wasn't available."

Women who juggle chronic illness, caregiving, and limited healthcare access commonly experience predictable delays and barriers to timely care. Many care options are inconvenient and fail to meet patients where they are, creating logistical obstacles such as lost wages, long drives, and childcare conflicts. Caregiving responsibilities for aging parents or children further reduce capacity for self-care. Historical research underrepresentation has led to treatments that may harm women or lack evidence for women, as shown by a long-term beta-blocker study revealing adverse effects after certain heart attacks. Women drive most healthcare decisions, constitute a majority of the workforce, and consume more care, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket spending. Product designs and clinical trials should prioritize convenience and representative inclusion to improve equity.

Read at Fast Company