Yesterday was International Women's Day. In light of that, Communicable prepared a special episode in which hosts Erin McCreary and Annie Joseph are joined by Esmita Charani (South Africa) and Annette Westgeest (Netherlands) for a discussion on gender- and sex-dependent patient-care disparities in the infectious diseases space. Together they review recent research findings that identified gender and sex as important determinants influencing patient outcomes and even decision making by prescribers. They also explore how societal and cultural norms may introduce further nuance and complexities. The panel remains optimistic in reaching equal healthcare for all, reflecting also on progressive steps such as increasing recognition by international organisations like the WHO, which published guidance on gender inequalities in national plans on AMR in 2024.

This episode was peer reviewed by Casandra Bulescu at the Dr. Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Bucharest, Romania.

References

• Charani E, et al. Wellcome Open Research, 2024. 
• Charani E, et al. Lancet Global Health, 2023.
• WHO guidance on gender inequalities in national action plans on AMR, 2024.
• Westgeest AC's presentation at ESCMID Global 2023.
• Dellière S, et al. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2026.
• Westgeest AC, et al. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2023.
• Madsen TE, et al. DISPARITY-II study, 2014.
• Criado Perez, C. Invisible Women. 
• Ausman SE, et al. CLASI study, 2023.
• Vaughn VM, et al. ICHE, 2022.
• Szymczak JE. Clin Infect Dis, 2019.