Resources
Women’s health is chronically understudied, but these engineers are charging forward
The article discusses the pioneering research being conducted by Catherine M. Klapperich and Joyce Y. Wong, two Boston University engineers focused on reproductive health issues. They are addressing the chronic underfunding and lack of research into women’s health, especially concerning conditions like uterine fibroids, hormone changes, and preeclampsia.
The article discusses the pioneering research being conducted by Catherine M. Klapperich and Joyce Y. Wong, two Boston University engineers focused on reproductive health issues. They are addressing the chronic underfunding and lack of research into women’s health, especially concerning conditions like uterine fibroids, hormone changes, and preeclampsia. Their work aims to create models and improve understanding at the cellular level to help diagnose and treat these conditions more effectively. They are also building a biobank of fibroid cells, which will be a key resource for further studies on these health issues.
Significant Lack of Data and Research on Chronic Conditions Affecting Women Is Hindering Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The article from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports on significant gaps in research regarding chronic conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as endometriosis, migraines, and pelvic floor disorders. These conditions often go under-researched, which hinders accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
The article from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports on significant gaps in research regarding chronic conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as endometriosis, migraines, and pelvic floor disorders. These conditions often go under-researched, which hinders accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The report emphasizes the need for enhanced research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to address these gaps, especially in understanding the biological mechanisms and the impact of reproductive milestones on chronic conditions. It also highlights the need for improved diagnostic tools, better research on multiple chronic conditions, and a deeper exploration of lifestyle factors and disparities in healthcare. The report calls for a shift towards more gender-centered research to better support women’s health and reduce inequalities.
Why we know so little about women’s health
The article discusses how the medical field has historically neglected women’s health, largely due to gender biases that consider men’s bodies as the standard. Women were rarely included in clinical trials before 1993, and many studies still underrepresent them. This lack of representation in research has led to gaps in understanding how diseases affect women, and how treatments, medications, and devices work for them.
The article discusses how the medical field has historically neglected women’s health, largely due to gender biases that consider men’s bodies as the standard. Women were rarely included in clinical trials before 1993, and many studies still underrepresent them. The lack of representation in research has led to gaps in understanding how diseases affect women, and how treatments, medications, and devices work for them. As a result, women, especially women of color, experience disparities in healthcare and higher rates of adverse reactions to medical treatments. The article highlights that more inclusive research is needed to address these disparities and improve healthcare outcomes for women.