In 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration recommended that women should receive a lower dosage of the insomnia drug zolpidem than men due to the belief that the medication affected women for longer periods. However, a 2019 study conducted at Tufts University found that the differential effect of the drug was actually determined by body size rather than sex. The report suggested that the reduced dosage for women could lead to underdosing and ineffective treatment of insomnia. Author Angela Saini highlighted the importance of collecting data on body size rather than using sex as a proxy in medicine.
Saini argued that many of the health outcome gaps between men and women are not solely due to biological sex but rather to gender differences in treatment and assumptions. While there are differences in reproductive health and physiology, research indicates that gender plays a significant role in health-related disparities. For example, the misconception that women experience atypical heart attack symptoms was debunked by a 2019 study at the University of Edinburgh, which showed that both men and women reported similar symptoms like chest pain and radiating pain in the left arm.
The underdiagnosis of women in healthcare settings has led to avoidable deaths from heart attacks, highlighting the importance of listening to women’s concerns. A 2016 Canadian study revealed that patients who performed gender roles stereotypically associated with women had higher recurrence rates of acute coronary syndrome, emphasizing the impact of social roles on health outcomes. Saini emphasized the need to diagnose the problem where it exists and not based on preconceived notions.
She cited the work of midwife Jennie Joseph, who founded a school of midwifery in Florida to support women without access to maternal healthcare, as an example of addressing disparities in care. By improving the quality of care and listening to women’s concerns, Joseph was able to lower maternal mortality rates among minority women. Saini stressed the importance of addressing biases and prejudices in healthcare to provide equitable and effective treatment for all patients.
In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of considering gender differences in healthcare and the impact of biases on patient outcomes. By addressing these disparities and focusing on quality care and patient concerns, healthcare providers can work towards improving health outcomes for all individuals.
