The medical research sector has long overlooked women, leaving doctors with an insufficient understanding of how to manage their health. Older women, in particular, have been adversely affected by this lacuna of information. However, in an attempt to address this problem, the Biden administration launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research last year.
Inadequate Research on Women’s Health
Women’s health expert Stephanie Faubion, the Director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, commented on the current state of research on older women’s health, calling it ‘inadequate.’ Data for many drugs commonly prescribed to senior citizens, such as statins for high cholesterol, were primarily obtained from male studies. The assumption is that women pre and post-menopause respond alike to drugs, which is not necessarily true.
One exemplary case is that of the Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi. Despite studies showing gender-specific effectiveness (12% slowed cognitive decline in women vs. 43% in men), the drug was approved by the FDA. This issue is crucial considering nearly two-thirds of older adults with Alzheimer’s are women.
Blind Spots in Medical Research Related to Women
Women not only have more life years than men in the U.S. by over five years but mental conditions, disabilities, and health issues like autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, and uncontrolled high blood pressure are more prevalent among them. To cater to the health of the aging population, understanding older women’s health is key.
Setting the Right Research Priorities
Several areas need immediate research attention to properly address women’s health.
Heart Disease
Heart conditions are more common among women after menopause and are the leading cause of death among them. Physicians and researchers are puzzled by the less aggressive treatment approach for women with heart disease. Martha Gulati, director of preventive cardiology from Cedars-Sinai suggested that research must focus on understanding why such biases exist and how to eliminate them.
Brain Health
The focus on how women can lower their risk of cognitive decline and dementia as they age is an area that needs immediate attention. JoAnn Manson, chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlighted the need for clear, actionable and accessible interventions for women. Stress, loss of estrogen, and conditions like multiple sclerosis and stroke heavily influence women’s brain health.
Mental Health
The concern of elder women’s vulnerability to anxiety and depression and their factors, such as hormonal changes and stress, require thorough research.
Cancer
Supriya Gupta Mohile at the University of Rochester stressed that breast cancer screening guidance for older women needs enhancement. Also, there is a need for more research on effective and safe treatments for lung cancer in older women.
Bone Health, Functional Health, and Frailty
Jane Cauley, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, called for more data on osteoporosis, a condition that mostly affects older women and is linked with dangerous fractures and falls. Research should focus on better drugs with fewer side effects.
In summary, to improve the health of older women and, consequently, the older population, more attention and resources need to be directed towards research in these areas. By doing so, treatment biases can be eliminated, leading to better medical care and quality of life for women.