Health: what about the females?
Medical research has long been a field with an androcentric vision. Melina Kibbe, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Virginia in the US, became aware of this reality when a colleague asked her: "What about females?" Until then, in her studies on cardiovascular diseases, Kibbe had used male rats without question. Her experience is not unique. Despite advances in awareness of the need to include females in research (mandatory in the US since 2016), inequality persists, with consequences for the health of millions of women.
Traditionally, it has been assumed that the menstrual cycle of females (in both humans and animals) introduces excessive variability into the data. However, recent papers, such as one from 2022 that reviewed 263 rodent studies, have shown that this assumption is wrong. Indeed, in some cases, males show up to two times the behavioral variability of females. However, scientific inertia and bias continue to hinder change, and this lack of data has serious consequences, from unforeseen side effects to inappropriate dosing. Kibbe herself, in a later study, noted with surprise that on average females needed higher doses than males to achieve the same effect.
On the other hand, it must be said that women's health has almost always been focused on fertility and menopause. However, as the WHAM Report (Women's Health Access Matters) highlights, women's health encompasses much more than these two areas. From cardiovascular diseases to autoimmune disorders, including Alzheimer's, women experience many conditions differently or at a greater rate than men. This reality not only represents a question of equity, but also a unique opportunity for innovation and economic growth.
This is highlighted by the 2024 Report of the Bioregion of Catalonia, prepared by its driving body, Biocat, and presented this week with interventions by the Minister of Health, the Minister of Research and Universities, and the President of the Generalitat. Investing in women's health is not only a matter of equity, but also a smart strategy for the economy. For example, the development of drugs and treatments specifically designed for women could reduce side effects and improve the effectiveness of treatments, benefiting both patients and the health system in general.
In short, the inclusion of women in medical research is a matter of urgency. Not only to ensure equal access to health, but also to take advantage of the opportunity for innovation and growth. Research and investment in this area will not only improve the lives of women, but will also open new horizons for science and industry.