The healthcare system, although designed to meet the needs of all individuals, frequently falls short of treating certain populations equitably. Women over 50 are one demographic that experiences bias, often encountering a unique blend of sexism and ageism. In medical settings, their symptoms are frequently trivialized or attributed merely to the aging process, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses and potentially endangering their well-being. Let’s dive into the extent and implications of this issue, and then address how we can successfully give ourselves voices in our healthcare treatment.
Are you feeling overlooked or dismissed in healthcare settings? Tired of ageism and sexism stealing your voice? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate this journey by yourself. Click here.
Gender Gap in Healthcare
Gender bias in healthcare is a deeply entrenched issue that has been rigorously studied, uncovering disconcerting disparities that compromise the well-being of women. One of the most glaring manifestations of this gender bias is the tendency for medical professionals to dismiss or minimize women’s pain, resulting in either under-diagnosis or inadequate treatment. This can have severe repercussions, including the lack of timely interventions or missing out on critical treatments, which in turn contributes to poorer health outcomes for women compared to men.
Take, for instance, the acute scenario of cardiac care. A seminal study by Hoffmann and Tarzian in 2001 revealed that women are a staggering seven times more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and discharged while actively experiencing a heart attack. This alarming statistic is not merely a number; it signifies lost lives, prolonged suffering, and decreased quality of life for women.
Mary, 54, had recurrent chest pain and was consistently told it was anxiety or menopause. A year later, she had a heart attack. Had her earlier symptoms been taken seriously, preventative measures could have been taken.
The underlying reasons for such healthcare disparities may range from ingrained societal stereotypes about women’s emotional stability—often dismissed as ‘hysteria’ or ‘anxiety’—to gaps in medical education that leave healthcare providers less prepared to recognize symptoms of diseases in women, especially those that manifest differently than in men. The lack of sufficient research focusing on women’s health further perpetuates this bias, leading to generalized medical practices that are predominantly based on studies conducted on men.
This skewed approach to healthcare not only undermines the medical care that women receive but also creates a vicious cycle. Dismissed or misdiagnosed conditions can lead to more complex health problems down the line, further straining the healthcare system and perpetuating gender-based health inequalities. In summary, the systemic gender bias in healthcare is a multifaceted problem that demands urgent attention from researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers to ensure equitable care for all.
The Intersection of Gender and Age in Healthcare
The bias intensifies as women age. Women over 50 frequently encounter ageism, an under-discussed issue that compounds gender bias. The World Health Organization reports that ageism is widespread in healthcare settings, affecting diagnostic and treatment decisions (WHO, 2021).
As women age, their symptoms and concerns are more frequently attributed to the natural aging process, often leading to dismissive attitudes from healthcare providers. This can result in underdiagnosis, mistreatment, or complete omission of crucial medical interventions. For example, symptoms like fatigue, memory loss, or muscle pain may be hastily categorized as age-related decline rather than being thoroughly investigated for potential underlying conditions such as anemia, dementia, or musculoskeletal issues.
Janet, 57, was experiencing severe abdominal pain. Her doctor attributed her symptoms to aging and advised her to “wait it out.” It was later found she had stage III ovarian cancer. Treatment was delayed due to the initial dismissal of her symptoms.
The dual burden of ageism and sexism may lead to a cycle of neglect and mismanagement of health concerns, causing older women to suffer from worsened health outcomes, diminished quality of life, and increased mortality rates. This combination of biases forms a dangerous blind spot in contemporary healthcare, calling for a more nuanced, intersectional approach to diagnosis and treatment. In essence, the amplification of bias due to age adds an urgent dimension to the ongoing discussion on healthcare disparities, emphasizing the need for immediate reforms that consider both gender and age.
Sue, 63, has been complaining of severe back pain for years. Each time she brought it up, it was attributed to age-related degeneration. Sue insisted on further tests and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis requiring surgical intervention.
For women over 50, the intersection of age and gender bias can result in healthcare that is significantly less effective. Women over 50 are not only facing issues common to their age group but also the compounded bias related to their gender. For example, older women are less likely to be screened for heart disease compared to men, even though heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States (Mosca et al., 2011).
Menopause
Navigating the healthcare system during menopause often exposes women to both ageism and sexism, creating a treatment gap that impacts their well-being. Studies indicate that approximately 55% of women report feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by healthcare providers when discussing menopausal symptoms (Women’s Health Concern, 2019).
Despite the known risks of heart disease increasing post-menopause, women are 20% less likely to receive preventive screenings compared to men (Mosca et al., 2011).
Medical professionals frequently attribute menopause-related symptoms like fatigue, cognitive issues, or mood swings to ‘just aging,’ overlooking targeted treatment options. This double bias not only undermines women’s quality of life but may also contribute to delayed or missed diagnoses, affecting overall health outcomes.
Linda, 52, was experiencing hot flashes, severe mood swings, and insomnia. When she went to her healthcare provider, she was told these are natural symptoms of aging and she should “learn to live with them.” Later, it was discovered that she was going through menopause, which was affecting her quality of life and could have been managed more effectively through hormone replacement therapy.
Read more about perimenopause symptoms here, menopause age here, healthcare treatments here, and natural supplements here.
Jane, a 52-year-old woman, experienced severe abdominal pain for months. Her physician attributed the symptoms to menopause and advised her to “ride it out.” It was later discovered that she had stage III ovarian cancer, a diagnosis delayed by assumptions about her age and gender. Stories like Jane’s are unfortunately common and highlight the fatal consequences of such biases.
Statistical Evidence
Statistical evidence strongly underscores the intersectional bias faced by older women in healthcare settings. According to a comprehensive study by Mosca et al., published in 2011, older women are 20% less likely than their male counterparts to receive preventive treatments or undergo screening tests for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular issues.
This is a particularly alarming disparity given that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. The gap in preventive care puts older women at a significantly higher risk for late-stage diagnoses, which consequently lowers survival rates and quality of life.
Studies show that older women are 20% less likely than men to receive preventive treatments or screening for diseases like cancer and heart issues.
Additionally, older women are not only twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to men, but they are also more frequently diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020). The delayed diagnosis significantly impairs the effective management of the disease, which is essential in its early stages for maintaining cognitive function and independence.
Women over 50 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as men, but they are often diagnosed at a much later stage (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020).
Moreover, older women are less likely to receive kidney transplants compared to men and are often started on dialysis despite it not being the most effective course of action (Weng et al., 2005). Osteoporosis, a condition that disproportionately affects postmenopausal women, is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to increased risk of fractures and decreased mobility (Cranney et al., 2002).
Furthermore, older women face inequities in mental health treatment. Despite the higher prevalence of depression among older women, they are less likely to be referred for mental health treatment compared to men (Kessler et al., 1993).
These findings point to a systematic problem that merges ageism and sexism, leading to compromised healthcare outcomes for older women. This wealth of statistical evidence demonstrates the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to rectify the deeply ingrained biases that older women face in healthcare settings.
Race, Ethnicity, Ability, Sexuality
While ageism and sexism in healthcare significantly impact women, these barriers are often magnified for minority, LGBTQ, disabled, and undocumented women. For instance, according to the CDC (2019):
Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.
LGBTQ women face stigmas that may deter them from seeking timely healthcare, while disabled women encounter accessibility issues. Undocumented women are less likely to access preventive services due to fear of deportation.
These intersectional barriers compound the effects of ageism and sexism, creating an even more complex and challenging healthcare landscape for these vulnerable populations.
Solution
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Conclusion and Recommendations
The combination of ageism and sexism against women over 50 in healthcare settings has significant and sometimes devastating consequences. Medical practitioners need to be trained to recognize and counter these biases to ensure that diagnoses are accurate and treatments are effective.
To combat these issues, medical curricula should include gender and age intersectionality training. Policies should be revised to include mandatory screenings and diagnostic tests that consider both age and gender-specific risks.
References
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Alzheimer’s Association. (2020). 2020 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 16(3), 391-460.
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Cranney, A., Jamal, S. A., Tsang, J. F., Josse, R. G., & Leslie, W. D. (2002). Low bone mineral density and fracture burden in postmenopausal women. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 167(1), 35-40.
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Hoffmann, D.E., & Tarzian, A.J. (2001). The Girl Who Cried Pain: A Bias Against Women in the Treatment of Pain. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 29, 13-27.
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Kessler, R. C., Brown, R. L., & Broman, C. L. (1981). Sex differences in psychiatric help-seeking: Evidence from four large-scale surveys. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 49-64.
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Mosca, L., Benjamin, E. J., Berra, K., Bezanson, J. L., Dolor, R. J., Lloyd-Jones, D. M., … & Wenger, N. K. (2011). Effectiveness-based guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women—2011 update. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(12), 1404-1423.
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Weng, F. L., Joffe, M. M., Feldman, H. I., & Mange, K. C. (2005). Rates of completion of the medical evaluation for renal transplantation. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 46(4), 734-745.
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World Health Organization. (2021). Ageism.
