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We must see a better representation of women in clinical studies.

Clinical studies must ensure women are represented, which means we must create and implement policies ensuring gender equity in study design, recruitment and analysis. Since a 1993 NIH ruling, federally-funded drug trials and other clinical research have been required to include female participants. They must also determine whether the treatment being tested affects females differently than males. Unfortunately, recent data shows that there is still an integral gender gap, with more men participating in clinical studies, especially in the critical early stages of drug development when doses and drug safety are evaluated.

We must promote inclusivity in healthcare research.

We must do more to support researchers and institutions to adopt more inclusive practices when it comes to sex and gender disparities in healthcare research. Measures should be taken to ensure that all voices are heard in the research process, including through the allocation of funding specifically for women-specific diseases that are comparable to male diseases. Since funding often comes down to politics, supporting organizations like the Society for Women's Health Research that advocate improving research policy on biological sex differences in disease and treatment is key.

To increase the inclusivity of women in healthcare research, we must support researchers and institutions to address the gender gap by elevating the role of women as primary investigators in clinical trials and providing mentorship, support and funding for women's health issues.