Written by: Dawnn A. Vance, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
To Bridge Gaps within any structure. You first have to tactfully look into the foundation on which that structure was built. Understanding the backstory of medicine can shed light on how historical factors have shaped women's health outcomes and healthcare practices.
The history of medicine can be traced back to ancient civilizations.
Ancient texts and archaeological evidence suggest that women's health concerns were addressed through a combination of natural remedies, rituals, and spiritual practices. However, as medical knowledge began to formalize in ancient Greece and Rome, women's health became increasingly medicalized and subjected to male-dominated perspectives. During the Middle Ages, medicine in Europe was heavily influenced by the writings of ancient Greek and Roman physicians, as well as Islamic scholars who preserved and expanded upon medical knowledge. Women's health was often relegated to the realm of domestic medicine, with female healers known as wise women or midwives providing care based on. What they thought they knew. Just because they were women. As you can see women's health. Was never based on clinical studies.
Nor was it ever taken seriously.
However, the rise of universities and formal medical institutions in the Renaissance period marginalized women healers and limited their role in mainstream healthcare. The professionalization of medicine led to the exclusion of women from medical education and practice, further exacerbating gender disparities in healthcare. Women's health concerns were often pathologized and stigmatized, leading to inadequate or inappropriate treatments for conditions such as menstruation, menopause, and reproductive health issues.
The advent of modern medicine and women's health in the 19th and 20th centuries brought significant advancements in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and surgical interventions. These breakthroughs revolutionized healthcare and saved countless lives, but they also reinforced gender biases that impacted women's health outcomes. For example, clinical trials and medical research historically excluded women, leading to a lack of understanding of how diseases manifest differently in women compared to men. Starting organizations and advocating will not only raise awareness but also push the urgency of bettering women's health.
In recent years, the gender health gap has gained significant attention in the medical field as a pressing issue that demands urgent address. Women's health concerns have long been underrepresented in medical research, diagnosis, and treatment, leading to significant disparities in healthcare outcomes. Historically, medical research and clinical trials have primarily focused on male subjects, assuming that findings in men can be generalized to women. This erroneous assumption overlooks the biological, physiological, and hormonal differences that exist between the sexes. As a result, many women receive suboptimal care that fails to account for their unique health needs. Addressing the gender health gap requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses research, education, policy changes, and clinical practice.
Increased representation of women in medical studies is essential to ensure that findings apply to all patients. Medical training programs must incorporate gender-sensitive perspectives to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to offer personalized care to women. Additionally, healthcare policies should prioritize women's health needs and promote equity in access to services. Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet many individuals around the world are unable to receive the care they need due to limitations in health insurance coverage.
While having health insurance is crucial for financial protection against high medical costs, it is not synonymous with access to proper healthcare. There exists a gap between health insurance coverage and receiving timely, high-quality care as well as personalized medications. This is where compounding pharmaceuticals come into play. A retail pharmacy will sell everyone the same antibiotic, vaccine, etc. Based on what your illness is. In my opinion, prescriptions should be customized for each person. Derived from your DNA, genetics, lab results, and current illness. A compounding pharmacy makes a prescription just for you. So, two people with rosacea cannot use the same rosacea face cream. When it comes to women's health. Women get prescribed a universal medication. Which I feel is impossible because, of hormones no woman is the same.
To bridge this gap and ensure that individuals can access proper healthcare when needed, several key changes are necessary in the healthcare system. Policymakers can work to reduce out-of-pocket costs for individuals by capping deductibles, increasing coverage of essential health benefits, and expanding subsidies for low-income populations. Many individuals are underinsured or face barriers in accessing the care they need due to limitations in their insurance coverage. Marginalized populations, including low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural communities, often face systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing proper healthcare despite having insurance coverage.
To bridge the gap between health insurance and proper healthcare, there needs to be greater transparency in the healthcare system. Many people do not know Dental insurance won't cover cosmetics and health insurance may not cover compound pharmaceuticals. Individuals should have access to information about the cost and quality of healthcare services, as well as information about their insurance coverage and options. Enhancing consumer education and providing resources to help individuals navigate the healthcare system can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their care and coverage. To truly bridge the gap between health insurance, proper healthcare and women's health. It is essential to address the social determinants of health that impact individuals’ ability to access care. By addressing these social determinants of health through policies that promote economic and social equity, we can work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system that ensures all individuals have access to proper care.
Dawnn A. Vance, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dawnn A. Vance, a minister and political advocate for the NAACP, has had firsthand experience of systemic oppression and discrimination since her early years. Committed to promoting equality and social justice. In pursuit of building a brighter future for the multicultural era.
