Accelerating efforts towards gender equality to achieve universal health coverage.
Keynote-Maria Molina for ITNS at UN 3/18/2024
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and advocates for women's health around the globe. To drive meaningful change, we must first comprehend the landscape of healthcare disparities. These inequities manifest across various dimensions, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, gender, and more. They permeate every aspect of healthcare, from access to quality of care, leading to profound disparities in health outcomes. Acknowledging this reality is the cornerstone of our journey towards equity. Today,
I am honored to stand before you to address a critical issue that demands our attention – the disparities that women face in the realm of organ transplantation. This is not just a matter of medical concern, but a profound social and ethical challenge that we must collectively address to ensure equitable healthcare for all.
Two distinguished women in history that have set the stage of a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of countless girls striving for education and equality. In pop culture, the legend of Mulan, a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army, has been adapted into various forms of media, including films and novels. Mulan's story illustrates the limitations placed on women in traditional societies, as well as the courage and resilience it takes to challenge gender norms and fight for equality. Another remarkable lady of the 21st century Malala Yousafzai, a remarkable education activist, has a story that resonates with countless girls around the world. Born in 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, her journey is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to girls’ education . With her father’s unwavering support, she established?Malala Fund, a charity dedicated to ensuring every girl could shape her own future. In?December 2014, Malala received the?Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest-ever Nobel laureate.
These two women of substance is a beacon of hope for humanity, similarly organ transplantation is a beacon of hope, a medical marvel that has saved countless lives. However, as we celebrate the advancements in this field, we cannot overlook the significant disparities that persist, particularly when it comes to women's health. Access to transplantation services can vary significantly from one country to another due to multiple factors, presenting considerable global challenges.
To begin with, statistics reveal a stark reality – women are less likely to receive organ transplants compared to their male counterparts. This discrepancy is not a result of medical eligibility but is often rooted in systemic biases, societal norms, and, at times, even the lack of awareness surrounding these issues. Of note, the roles of implicit bias and cultural competence are severely understudied in transplantation and can potentially improve our understanding of the factors driving these disparities.
Around the world, there is a national organization that is responsible for providing oversight for the equitable access to transplant. A recent article by Skeikh and Locke, published in 2021 discussed gender disparities in transplantation. The authors concluded that over two decades of research indicate that women continue to experience inequities in access to life-saving treatment options. Ironically, women tend to utilize health services more frequently, be more compliant and have demonstrated equal or better outcomes after transplant. Yet they struggle to achieve successful transplantation at comparable rates to men.
Another key contributor to this disparity is the underrepresentation of women on organ transplant waiting lists. Research shows that women are less likely to be listed for transplantation, leading to delayed access to life-saving treatments. This may be attributed to several factors, including misconceptions about women's resilience or societal expectations that may discourage them from seeking necessary medical interventions. Conversely, when women do make it onto the waiting list, they often face longer waiting times compared to men. This discrepancy can be attributed to the complex interplay of biological, social, and economic factors. For instance, the availability of suitable organs for transplantation and the prevalence of certain health conditions in women can contribute to prolonged waiting periods, putting women at a disadvantage.
Beyond these challenges, there is also a need to address post-transplant care and support. Women may encounter unique healthcare needs after transplantation, including hormonal changes and reproductive health concerns. It is essential to tailor post-transplant care to meet these specific needs and ensure the overall well-being of female transplant recipients.
To bridge these gaps and create a more equitable system, we must work collaboratively on multiple fronts. This includes raising awareness about women's health disparities in organ transplantation, advocating for policy changes that prioritize gender equality in transplant procedures, and encouraging more research into the gender-specific aspects of transplantation.
The issue of organ transplantation and gender inequities in universal health is a complex and multifaceted one. As a society, we have a moral obligation to ensure that every individual, regardless of gender, has equal access to life-saving treatments. Let us unite in our commitment to dismantling the barriers that women face in organ transplantation and strive towards a future where healthcare is truly inclusive, leaving no one behind.
As change agents and drivers of equity, we must rise to this challenge, catalyze transformation, and forge a future where healthcare is truly equitable for all. Let us commit ourselves to this noble cause, knowing that every action we take brings us closer to a future where all individuals receive equitable and dignified healthcare.
From our esteemed panelist, you will hear various women healthcare disparities based on geographical location, as well as cultural beliefs and religious practices that influence access and perception of universal health coverage.
We are calling for: Women
P: olicies and programs that target the removal of barriers in women’s access with health.
O: utcomes to improve economic growth, breaking the cycle of poverty.
W: ell being for gender sensitive financial protection for women and girls
E: quitable and economical activities for women and girls.
R:einforce collective action for prioritizing women in leadership
The stories of Mulan and Mallala highlight the intersectionality of gender and health disparities in general, shedding light on the need for equitable access to education, equal opportunities, and life-saving treatments for all individuals, regardless of gender. It underscores the importance of addressing systemic barriers and biases within healthcare systems to ensure fair and just allocation for everyone in need.