The medical research community has historically neglected the unique needs and experiences of older women, a glaring oversight that has significant implications for their health and well-being. According to Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, this neglect is due to the assumption that women’s biological changes with age are irrelevant and that their health outcomes are comparable to those of men. Faubion notes that this assumption is far from accurate, pointing out that women’s bodies undergo significant hormonal and physiological changes during the menopausal transition, which can have profound effects on their health.
Yet, despite these changes, there is a dearth of research focused specifically on the health needs of older women. As a result… physicians are often left without the crucial information they need to accurately diagnose and treat the health issues of older women. This is particularly concerning given that women outlive men by an average of five years in the United States and make up a significant proportion of the older population.
Faubion emphasizes that women are resilient and can thrive in old age, but only with access to tailored medical care and attention to their unique health needs. “It’s time for us to recognize that older women are not just older versions of younger women,” she states. “They deserve their own research, their own treatment approaches, “and their own recognition.”” Ultimately… addressing the health needs of older women requires a fundamental shift in how we approach medical research.
It necessitates a commitment to understanding the complex interplay of biological, “social,” and cultural factors that affect older women’s health and implementing research methods that take these factors into account. This article first appeared in The Washington Post.
More details: Visit website
Older Women Are At Risk Because Of Their Low Representation In Research
• Medical research has significantly shortchanged older women, leaving physicians without crucial information on how to manage their health.
• The assumption is made that women’s biology doesn’t change with age, despite significant hormonal and physiological changes occurring during menopause.
• Women outlive men by more than 5 years in the US and make up a significant proportion of the older population, despite being overlooked in medical research.
• As the population ages, the number of older women far surpasses that of older men, emphasizing the need to prioritize research and healthcare focused on their unique needs.
Medical research has shortchanged women for decades. This is particularly true of older women, leaving physicians without critically important information about how to best manage their health.
Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, launched into a critique when I asked about the current state of research on older women’s health. “It’s completely inadequate,” she told me.
