Reprieve for Women: Embracing Inclusive Research

Reprieve for Women: Embracing Inclusive  Research
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

Historically, understanding a woman's unique biology and developing optimal interventions for women has been somewhat of a blind spot for medical research.

For much of the 20th century, scientists favored enrolling men in large clinical trials. Men were considered easier and safer to study because of the risk of women becoming pregnant mid-trial, among other reasons. Findings from studies in men were considered applicable to women, despite the fact that even beyond the reproductive system, a woman's body differs significantly from a man's, with variations in organ function, immune responses, and metabolism.

Recognizing these differences, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other government agencies have worked to increase women's participation in clinical trials. Today, on the whole, nearly equal numbers of men and women participate in clinical trials, though women still may comprise only a minority of participants in certain trials — including some cardiovascular disease studies.

Read Full Article »
Comment
Show commentsHide Comments

Related Articles