Inequality In the Industry – The Medical Research Gender Gap That Still Exists
Upsilon Global
Clinical research partners specialising in supporting CROs, Biotechs & Pharmaceuticals, assisting with their studies.
The medical research gender gap refers to the underrepresentation of women in medical research studies, especially in clinical trials. It’s part of the wider ‘medical gap’ present in the medical and pharma industries, an ongoing issue that we still face as a society.
It’s no doubt that women have come a long way, being pioneers and innovators who have and continue to contribute to the industry and wider society. However, even with their life-changing discoveries and innovations, there continues to be a significant gender gap engraved in our social structures. An industry with a healthcare system at its core that has been built by men for men, as some like to say.
By excluding women from clinical trials, it implies that the results of the studies and medications are often not fully applicable and designed for women. Leading to a significant gender bias in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many diseases and conditions, which naturally marginalises women and makes them feel inferior by ‘discarding’ their health and health-related concerns.??
In some countries and societies, the ‘gender gap’ is more prominent with stereotypical gender roles still greatly in place and heavily encouraged. Women can still be seen as unworthy of participating in clinical trials and health-related studies, deemed as ‘dramatic’ or ‘hormonal’ when they express a health concern. In fact, it wasn’t until 1993 that women were able to participate in clinical trials as there had previously been a fear that they would ‘pollute’ the data.
Endometriosis is a perfect example of health-related neglect, it’s a gynaecological condition associated with menstruation that is under-researched and misunderstood. Worldwide, an estimated?10%?of women of reproductive age are affected by Endometriosis. Many other women live with the condition unaware they have it, as it currently takes on average 8 years to get a proper diagnosis.?
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Additionally, STEM disciplines continue to be male dominated with a masculine association attached to them. Greatly minimising women’s involvement and contributions to the science and medical industries. As a matter of fact, only?35%?of all students in STEM-related fields of study are women. In the US, women are proportionately half as likely to major in STEM disciplines in comparison to men, and also publish less and are paid less for their research according to many studies.?
However, things are continuously changing. In recent years there has been a shift in the industry leading to a growing recognition of women. As well as the importance of including them in clinical trials and medical research studies. Women currently constitute?46%?of the total science professional workforce. In terms of the clinical trials industry,?73%?of CRAs in the US are women. However, if we look at it on a wider scale, they still only represent?33.3%?of all researchers and are still given smaller research grants than their male colleagues. A 'glass ceiling' still very much remains in place with only?20%?of STEM leadership positions being occupied by women.?
MedTech has also played an influential role in the increase of women’s inclusion in the industry, especially in clinical trials. FemTech is a type of MedTech that has been developed to assist with the health issues of women of all ages and phases of life and health. Addressing and providing solutions and advice from fertility and menstrual health to maternal health and menopause. By having access to FemTech women can receive a form of tailored care as they input their personal information, generating data, results, and solutions specific to them. It is a more convenient and consumer-friendly way to access healthcare, receive a diagnosis, and participate in medical research. It also ensures the inclusion of women in marginalised groups including women from ethnic minority backgrounds, low-income countries, and LGBTQ groups.
Despite all these efforts and changes coming into place, there is still a lot of work to be done to close the medical research gender gap! Ensuring that women's health needs are adequately addressed and represented in medical research around the world!