Disparities in women's health and clinical considerations from a translational science perspective: A narrative review and framework for future directions.

BACKGROUND

Sex and gender disparities persist across biomedical research, clinical care, and health policy, despite increasing recognition of sex-specific disease mechanisms and treatment responses. Underrepresentation of women in clinical trials continues to produce male-centric treatment protocols and insufficient data to support precision care.

METHODS

This narrative review applies a translational science framework to examine recurring and cross-cutting gaps in sex and gender health science. Rather than cataloging all disease areas, the review uses three exemplar domains-mental and neurological conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular disease-to illustrate patterns observed across the research-to-policy continuum.

RESULTS

Findings reveal persistent issues including underrepresentation of women in research, inadequate sex-disaggregated data, and structural biases that impede equitable evidence development. These challenges appear consistently across basic science, clinical research, guideline development, and health policy translation.

CONCLUSIONS

To advance equitable, evidence-based care, recommendations include adopting intersectional frameworks, improving sex-disaggregated data practices, increasing investment in sex-based research, and integrating sex and gender health science into medical education. Addressing these gaps through a translational lens is essential to achieving precision medicine that effectively serves all individuals.