Gaurica Chacko, VP and Global Life Sciences Head at Wipro, delves into how technology can rectify long-standing gender disparities in clinical trials, saving lives and advancing healthcare inclusivity.
Imagine this scenario: a woman visits the doctor. She’s suffering from nausea and vomiting, and occasionally complains of pain in her left shoulder blade. These symptoms are not usually associated with a single disease and are therefore treated separately. The true cause remains unknown – until the woman suffers a heart attack.
However, if the examination had taken into account the fact that heart attacks present themselves differently in different population groups, this life-threatening event could have been prevented.
This is just one example of how the healthcare system has historically been tailored to male standards. Although illnesses don’t discriminate by gender in their impact, medical research has failed to consider the differences between men and women in its data collection and analysis. This means that diagnosis and treatment can be inaccurate or ineffective for women, who may have different symptoms or responses to medication than men – leading to serious consequences.
To solve the problem of inequality in clinical trials, various healthcare bodies and research institutes in the UK are working on initiatives which utilise technology and data to bridge the diversity gap. However, there is still a long way to go on a global level, and legislation, as well as increased innovation, continues to be needed for the improvement of the entire population’s health – and not just the health of a few.
Legislative change is crucial
The underrepresentation of women in clinical trials – the backbone of medical research – has resulted in a significant disadvantage for this demographic when it comes to developing diagnostic and treatment guidelines.
Shockingly, women typically only make up approximately 41% of participants in the initial phase of these trials despite representing nearly 50% of the global population. This disparity is even more pronounced when one considers the ethnic makeup of participants – non-white women are particularly disadvantaged by this lack of representation, which can have serious implications for their health outcomes.
According to recent data from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UK geographies with the highest burden of disease also have the lowest number of patients taking part in research. The report states that health disparities persist in certain groups due to a complex interplay of social, economic and geographic factors known as the ‘broader determinants of health’.
These inequalities have been a focus of health equity experts for some time and gained even more prominence during the COVID-19 crisis. In response, the NHS Long Term Plan and Core20PLUS55 are two products of UK healthcare decision makers working to strengthen their contribution to reducing healthcare inequalities on both a national and system level.
While Britain is making headway in this space, global legislation is still needed to make positive changes on a larger scale. But we need not wait for new laws in order for healthcare professionals to start making meaningful strides towards diversifying research and trials and improving their diagnoses. Advanced technologies offer us a path forward right now.
The role of technology in equality
The emergence of digital healthcare technologies has opened up a new avenue for enhancing inclusivity in clinical trials. From wearable devices to advanced cloud solutions, these tools have made it possible to recruit a more diverse group of participants beyond geographical boundaries. For instance, the use of interactive VR-enabled pods in pharmacies is a testament to how technology can bridge the gap in clinical trial participation by increasing awareness and accessibility.
Moreover, Artificial Intelligence’s ability to analyse complex datasets offers a glimpse into a future where clinical research and treatment are as diverse as the global population they aim to serve. AI can integrate vast amounts of information, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and tailor treatments to the unique needs of diverse patient populations. It can also assist with translation for those whose native language is not English.
Alongside increased legislation, by leveraging AI to design more inclusive trials and analyse health data, healthcare can be revolutionised and gender equity in medical research ensured.
Looking towards the future
The issue of women being underrepresented in clinical trials is complex and requires a collaborative approach from lawmakers, researchers and the healthcare industry as a whole. Fortunately, legislative changes are being made to create a more inclusive and fair healthcare system, but there is still more to be done on globally.
Further, Generative AI is dramatically transforming the healthcare industry, including clinical trials – traditional analysis tools can’t keep an eye on everything, but AI has the ability to bring all available information together and help doctors make better-informed decisions. By utilising emerging technologies and working together, we can ensure that medical research and treatments reflect the diversity of the UK population, leading to improved health outcomes for women, as well as other under-served groups.
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