Analysing sex and gender differences in chronic diseases that are major contributors to ill health and mortality in Australia and elsewhere.
Project implemented: July 2014
Our goal is to improve evidence on sex disparities in healthcare and research for women, and as a result, improve their overall health.
By identifying sex disparities in healthcare and research for women, Australia can dramatically improve health outcomes for women.
Use data to quantify the socio-demographic & clinical differences between women & men when they experience chronic disease
Compare treatment given to women & men with chronic disease & test if such differences may be due to factors other than sex
Produce reliable, unbiased evidence to inform policy interventions. Disseminate through journals, meetings & media.
Our work is regularly quoted in reviews and policy statements relating to women’s cardiovascular health. Its policy implications have been presented to the all-party parliamentary committee in the UK.
Women and men often experience common diseases in different ways. However, sex disparities in health outcomes are frequently unappreciated, generally to the disadvantage of women. The George Institute for Global Health has developed a program that is tackling sex differences in chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke); major contributors to ill health and mortality in Australia and elsewhere. This program is part of the Institute’s work globally to improve health outcomes for women and gender equality, especially in low- and middle-income countries, by broadening the women’s health agenda beyond sexual and reproductive health. Identifying the best care ‘pathways’ for women and men across the health system will help improve treatment guidelines, strengthen health systems, and lengthen lifetimes for both sexes. This program is done in collaboration with the University of Oxford.