Science Week runs from 7 November to 14 November.
Gender bias is alive and well in healthcare, with studies showing women are at a disadvantage when it comes to diagnostics and treatment.
This topic, along with gender bias in the healthcare profession, is set to be addressed at this year’s Science Week with RSCI Rotunda Research Department announcing the return of the ‘BIAS: Inequality in Women’s Health and Research’ festival.
As well as looking at the inequalities in women’s healthcare and the healthcare profession, the festival of events will focus on how improvements can be made.
While 1 in 10 women have endometriosis, according to the Endometriosis Association of Ireland, it takes an average of 9 years to be diagnosed in Ireland.
On average, women receive cancer diagnoses roughly two and a half years after men and are diagnosed with metabolic diseases like diabetes four and a half years later. Also, women are more likely to experience chronic pain, yet are more likely to be prescribed sedatives than pain killers.
Such inequalities will be discussed throughout the week and the festival lineup will also include talks on the history of women in medicine, stories from women who have experienced gender bias in the profession first hand, and a STEM Careers event for Transition Year students.
A Q&A session with Dr Jennifer Gunter, New York Times bestselling author of The Menopause Manifesto and OB/GYN, will also be featured.
Dr Jennifer Donnelly, Consultant Obstetrician at the Rotunda Hospital and contributor to the BIAS festival, said:
“There is a long history of bias in women’s health and research. Through our Science Week Festival, BIAS, we want to take time to discuss this inequity and the ways in which we can begin to overcome it.
“It is so important to talk about these biases across all arenas, including schools, universities and hospital settings, so that all those involved in healthcare and research can be aware of the biases that they may have.”
You can register for the event here.
