Anthology

Anthology – Index of contents
Introduction
Women and Lung Cancer
Women and Cervical Cancer in the EU
Women and Breast Cancer
Women and Diabetes in the EU
Women and HIV/AIDS
Women and Asthma in the EU
Women and Cardiovascular Disease
Women and Vaccination in the EU
Women and Smoking in the EU
Smoking in Pregnancy in the EU
Women and Alcohol in the EU
Safety of Medicines in Pregnancy
Sex and Gender in Healthcare Professional Education
Sex and Gender in Medicines Regulation

European Institute of Women’s Health Policy Brief Anthology

Introduction

One of the biggest challenges facing European societies is the current demographic change and retaining health across the lifespan in an increasingly ageing population. Approximately 70% to 80% of health care budgets across the EU are spent on treating chronic diseases. Health promotion and primary prevention is a way to reduce the burden of chronic diseases.

Large diﬀerences between women and men exist across various health conditions. Some are primarily determined by biological variation. Others are the result of the manner in which societies socialise women and men and the power relations between them. Many health disparities reﬂect a combination of both the biological diﬀerences and social factors. Understanding this interaction is important for addressing sex and gender inequities in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, ultimately, for improving health in both women and men.

Over the years, scientifc knowledge has increasingly demonstrated that some treatments aﬀect men and women diﬀerently. However, the proportion of treatments for which men and women respond diﬀerently is yet unknown.

The EIWH policy briefs highlight the sex and gender diﬀerences that exist across various health conditions such as lung cancer, asthma, diabetes, other chronic diseases and lifestyle issues, such as smoking and alcohol. For example research on cardiovascular disease (CVD), osteoporosis and depression has identifed signifcant diﬀerences among women and men with respect to the distribution of these diseases. Women and men have diﬀerent sex and gender-related risks for developing certain conditions and respond diﬀerently to treatment. Biological diﬀerences between males and females
can aﬀect how a medicine works in the body. Additionally, patterns of gene expre ssion diﬀer between males and females.

The policy briefs are reviewed by experts in the feld and also by a patient representative when possible.

All policy briefs include a “Steps for Policy Action” section, which makes concrete recommendations for policy to promote the prevention of chronic diseases and improve treatment and care. Convincing our governments and reorienting our health and social systems to invest early on in prevention, is today’s major societal challenge.

The policy briefs are available on the EIWH website and distributed widely to policymakers, politicians and stakeholders interested in sex and gender equity in health.

Download all Policy Briefs (.zip file)