Male-centric medicine is affecting women’s health

Source– The post is based on the article “Male-centric medicine is affecting women’s health” published in “The Hindu” on 15th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of health. GS3- Science and Technology

Relevance- Issues related to medicine field

News- The male model of medicine is thriving. There is the tendency of treating women as smaller men despite a growing body of research insisting on physiological differences.

What shows the prevalence of male model of medicine?

In India, the gender disparity in clinical trials has even bigger implications due to generic drug production and consumption. It has been demonstrated in various studies that women’s bodies respond differently to the components of generic drugs.

The recent inclusion of women in clinical trials for generic medicine shows the male model of medicine. Nearly one-fifth of medications showed a difference in the active dose between men and women. Women have been either overdosing or not getting enough for decades.

In testing and diagnosis, the specific concerns of women are not taken care of. Take the example of mental health mental health.

According to a study conducted in Tamil Nadu, 26% of men and 31% of women aged 61-70 have symptoms indicating a high likelihood of depression.

The study firmly notes that depression rates and the prevalence of anxiety are higher for women than for men worldwide in general.

Cardiac issues are now acknowledged as having a slightly more prevalence in women. Yet, they continue to be diagnosed and treated like ‘lesser men’.

Study after study demonstrates that women are less likely to receive appropriate medications, diagnostic tests and clinical procedures even in developed countries such as Canada and Sweden.

What are the impacts of domination of male model in medicine?

The exclusion of women from clinical trials and research projects addressing sex-agnostic critical illnesses has resulted in a limited understanding of sex-specific symptoms and responses to treatment.

In case of sex-specific illnesses such as breast or endometrial cancers, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pregnancy-related issues, there are serious gaps in research.

United States-based studies show that the funding received for research in migraine, endometriosis and anxiety disorders is much lower in proportion to the burden of these illnesses.

WHO data from 2017 show that every day about 808 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these were preventable. Pregnant women are underrepresented in clinical trials and research.

What should be the priority of India in this matter?

It is time for policy intervention in the space of sex-specific research in medicine and the implementation of outcomes.

India’s G-20 presidency may be an opportune time to highlight this issue in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals on women’s health.