A review of global research has indicated that women are less likely than men to be offered active treatment for the same health conditions. This disparity has been linked to preventable deaths, according to a pharmacovigilance expert.
A study funded by the British Heart Foundation found that women received less recommended care following a heart attack compared to men. Research from 2018 estimated that over 8,000 women's deaths across 10 years may have been prevented if they had received the same standard of care as men.
One contributing factor to this inequality is the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. Historically, policy excluded women who might become pregnant, and women's responsibilities managing home and work can make taking time off for trials challenging. This lack of representation means women's specific needs are sidelined, despite women reportedly experiencing 50%-70% more side-effects from drugs than men.
Experts suggest that addressing this issue requires mandatory education in women's health and sex- and gender-sensitive medicine for healthcare professionals. The renewed women's health strategy and the 10-year health plan for England are seen as opportunities to ensure women have equal access to timely diagnosis, appropriate investigation, and effective care.