Disparities in the healthcare industry are putting people at risk

Having equal access and opportunity in the healthcare system will help save lives. One of the biggest problems facing the healthcare industry is that there is a disparity in the type of care specific patients receive. This might not always be intentional, but for women and people of color their health often gets put on the backburner. You may be asking why is this happening? The answer is because there is a lack of research, education, and time spent dealing with issues for women and people of color. Each body is different, and specific diseases and illnesses can manifest differently depending on gender and race. Creating an equal opportunity for healthcare education will help keep patients happy and healthy. 

One of the biggest examples is when it comes to women’s health. Most of the research and testing that was completed in the past was done on men and their bodies. As we all know, men and women are different, so it should be no wonder that women can often get misdiagnosed. Women also often get told they are feeling certain ways because of their hormones. This is not always the answer to women’s problems and their health should be taken more seriously. 

“Women’s health deserves to be taken more seriously across the board. Just 5 years ago, in 2019, women became the majority in medical school for the first time in history. It’s no coincidence that women’s health disparities are getting more attention by the media and healthcare policy makers – it coincides with the increase of women physicians,” says DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy.

It’s a similar situation for people of color. Studies show that both women and minorities are almost 30% more likely to be misdiagnosed because of the lack of research and time spent studying their bodies. Numbers also show that nearly 800,000 people die each year because of a misdiagnosis. No matter what gender or ethnicity you identify with, you should have an equal opportunity and access to get the healthcare you need. 

One of the biggest ways to solve this issue is to put more women in healthcare leadership positions. Giving women the opportunity to make a positive impact in the industry will not only help save lives, but can foster wider education for women. Having a clinician that comes from a minority background can give them the space to make improvements to the industry as a whole, and create an avenue for women’s health to be taken more seriously. 

“Asking why these disparities exist is the wrong question – the right question is how do we get more women in healthcare leadership positions because when women are in charge of healthcare, patients get better results. But today, less than 20% of the senior healthcare leaders are women, despite the healthcare workforce being 80% female. There needs to be a continual opportunity for education, in order to establish  a high level of care all around. Health executives need to prioritize growth at every level, so that both women and men can be taken care of,” Worthy says. 

The healthcare system and its leaders also need to transition to a more proactive approach to women’s health. Instead of relying on past studies and research, organizations should allocate more resources to make sure women’s health is being highlighted at every level. There is no way for progress to happen if those making decisions are stuck in the past. 

Women and people of color are people too. Healthcare systems need to realign their internal processes and resources to make sure everyone is getting the highest level and quality of care possible. By putting more women and minorities into leadership positions in the healthcare industry, there is a greater chance for research and education to happen. Disparities in the healthcare system are putting patients’ lives at risk, so being mindful about their health can go a long way.