Older Women Overlooked in Medical Research

For decades, medical research has neglected women, especially older women, leaving healthcare providers without critical data for effective treatment. To address this, the Biden administration launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. Key priorities for this initiative should include:

1. Heart Disease: Despite being the leading cause of death among women, research on heart disease has predominantly focused on men. This leads to less aggressive treatment for women. Tailored research is needed to address women’s unique cardiovascular profiles, especially post-menopause.
2. Cognitive Decline: Women constitute nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients, yet many treatments show less efficacy in women than men. More research is required to understand gender differences in cognitive decline and develop effective interventions for women.
3. Mental Health: Older women are more prone to anxiety and depression, influenced by hormonal changes and lifetime stress. Research should explore nonpharmaceutical interventions like yoga, meditation, and tai chi to enhance psychological resilience.
4. Cancer: Screening and treatment guidelines must be personalized for older women. Current practices often fail to differentiate between the fit and frail. Research is needed to establish tailored screening protocols and safe, effective treatments based on health status and age.
5. Bone Health and Mobility: Osteoporosis is prevalent among older women due to estrogen decline post-menopause, increasing fracture risks. Research should focus on developing safer medications and strategies to promote physical activity, preserving muscle mass and preventing frailty.

Stephanie Faubion of the Mayo Clinic and other experts stress the importance of reporting clinical trial data by sex and age. Martha Gulati highlights the need to eliminate biases in treating women’s heart conditions. JoAnn Manson emphasizes addressing cognitive decline with clear, accessible interventions.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She The People.