The Gender Gap in Healthcare: Why Women’s Health Research Needs More Attention

For decades, women’s health has been under-researched, under-funded and often misunderstood. Medical science relied heavily on generalised data, leaving many women with care that does not fully reflect their bodies or experiences. This gap shows up in misdiagnoses, delayed responses and treatments that fall short. As conversations around gender equity strengthen, it has become clear that the lack of research does not merely limit scientific knowledge. It shapes how women feel, heal and navigate healthcare every day. It is time to rethink how women’s health is studied and why dedicated research matters so deeply. 

How Women’s Health Has Been Overlooked for So Long 

Healthcare inequalities did not appear suddenly. They were shaped by longstanding assumptions and scientific shortcuts that overlooked women’s experiences. Many symptoms reported by women were misunderstood, minimised or labelled as emotional. Research models built around male subjects were treated as universal, despite clear biological differences. These choices created blind spots that continue to influence women’s health outcomes today. 

Here are some of the key reasons this gap became so deeply rooted: 

• Women’s concerns were often labelled as hormonally complicated. 

• Research trials mostly used male participants and generalised the outcomes to women. 

• This approach ignored the fact that women’s biology and symptoms differ in meaningful ways. 

• As a result, conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis and cardiac issues in women remained under-studied. 

Why Women Need Research Tailored to Their Unique Health Needs 

Women experience illness, treatment effects and physiological changes in ways that are deeply nuanced. Yet for many years, medical research treated men and women as interchangeable, assuming similar responses to treatment and disease. This led to care that did not align with women’s real needs and placed them at risk. Tailored research is essential because women deserve care built on evidence that truly reflects their bodies. 

These realities highlight why women-centred research is essential: 

• Assuming men’s and women’s health are the same results in misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment. 

• Women metabolise medications differently and present unique symptoms in many conditions. 

• Without research that recognises these differences, care remains incomplete. 

• Women-centred studies lead to better diagnoses, personalised care and stronger awareness. 

The Consequences of this Gap in Today’s Healthcare System 

The effects of limited research are visible every day. Women often face delayed diagnoses, misunderstood symptoms and preventable complications. These issues do not end with one woman’s experience. They ripple into families, workplaces and entire communities, weakening trust and wellbeing. When women’s health is not fully understood, the system cannot deliver safe and effective care. 

These are some of the most significant consequences of this long-standing research gap: 

• Gaps in research lead to delayed or incorrect diagnoses. 

• Maternal outcomes, chronic pain and reproductive challenges reflect the impact of this gap. 

• These consequences affect families and community wellbeing. 

• When women do not receive accurate care, the healthcare system loses resilience. 

How We Are Helping Shape a Better Future for Women’s Health 

At Aastrika Midwifery Centre, we are redefining women’s health through evidence-based midwifery, compassionate care and meaningful research. By centering women’s voices and experiences, we address gaps that have existed for generations. Our approach empowers women with knowledge, supports safer childbirth and sparks important conversations about respectful maternal care.