Gender bias in healthcare is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across the gender spectrum. Both explicit and implicit biases influence behavior, leading to discrimination and reinforcing inequity. Most cultures place a higher value on men and masculinity, which affects women, girls, trans, and nonbinary individuals most severely. Additionally, gender bias can impact boys and men who feel pressure to conform to rigid gender norms
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Impact on Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
Gender bias has a significant negative effect on medical diagnosis and the quality of healthcare people receive. It can lead to substantial delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and even death, with the impact being most severe for women. However, it also affects men, and research shows that gender bias reduces the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of medical diagnoses for both genders
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Effects on Mental Health
Gender bias in healthcare also affects mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety, which are more likely to go undiagnosed in men due to stereotypes about masculinity and a lack of awareness around how mental health symptoms might manifest differently in men
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Patient Experiences
A survey found that more than one-half of women, compared with one-third of men, believe gender discrimination in patient care is a serious problem. One in five women reported feeling ignored or dismissed by a healthcare provider, and 17% felt they have been treated differently because of their gender. Despite good intentions, gender bias persists in healthcare, and it is important for everyone who works in a medical practice to recognize and address the effects of unintended gender bias
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Historical Context
Gender bias in medicine has a long history, with medical myths about gender roles and behaviors constructed as facts before medicine became an evidence-based science. These myths have resonated perniciously and negatively impact the care, treatment, and diagnosis of all people who identify as women. Over the past few years, gender bias in medical knowledge, research, and practice has gained attention, with feminist health campaigners fighting against the suppression of drugs’ side effects and systemic gender and racial bias in clinical research
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