News & Comment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being explored to enhance access to health information and services. To guide the responsible use of AI in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and beyond, high-quality, ethical research is essential. Drawing on a comprehensive scoping review on AI in SRHR, we present illustrative examples from published literature to underscore the need for meaningful research on the use of AI to advance SRHR.

The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data currently misclassifies women post-hysterectomy without bilateral oophorectomy, creating a bias that affects research findings, particularly when studying premature menopause. This commentary critiques this methodological flaw, which obscures crucial differences between natural and surgical menopause, ultimately skewing prevalence estimates, risk estimates, and our understanding of health consequences. I argue that including a specific question about oophorectomy status in DHS questionanires is essential for generating accurate data that can inform effective public health policy and interventions globally.

Endometriosis affects approximately 190 million women globally. Many individuals with endometriosis face complex journeys through the healthcare system, set against a backdrop of historically underfunded research into women’s health. This study investigates the funding allocated to endometriosis up to 2023 by analysing the top 100 granting foundations in Denmark and comparing it to diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, with similar prevalence and impact. We found that endometriosis remains significantly underfunded.

This commentary highlights significant gender disparities in health and well-being among India’s older population using data from the recent Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-18). Older women reported higher rates of chronic conditions, functional limitations, and women-specific health issues. These cumulative disadvantages stem from lifetime gender disparities rooted in patriarchy. The subnational pattern of gender disparities closely aligns with existing regional dynamics of socioeconomic and health inequalities. National and statewide policies are needed to address lifetime gender disparities and improve older women’s health.

Most biomedical, health and care research does not adequately account for sex and gender dimensions of health and illness. Overlooking and disregarding the influence of sex and gender in research reduces scientific rigour and reproducibility, which leads to less effective treatments and worse health outcomes for all, particularly women and sex and gender diverse people. Historically, there has been minimal sex and gender policy innovation in UK medical research. To address this, stakeholders from across the UK research sector have been collaborating since spring 2023 to co-design a sex and gender policy framework to be implemented by research funders, as part of the MESSAGE (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity) project. In the first Policy Lab, held in London in May 2023, 50 participants, including representatives from funding organisations, medical journals, regulators, clinicians, academics and people with lived experience, identified two key priorities for future action: 1) A whole system approach to policy change, and 2) Technical capacity-building and wider culture change efforts. In pursuing these priorities and collaborating cross-sectorally, UK stakeholders are engaged in an internationally innovative approach aimed at realising sustainable and impactful sex and gender policy change. Drawing on MESSAGE Policy Lab discussions, we set out key actions needed for the UK research sector to embed meaningful accounting for sex and gender as a new norm for research practice.

Female sex workers (FSWs) are referred to as women who consensually exchange sexual intercourse for money or other goods, as a livelihood activity. FSWs are at a higher threat of experiencing violence committed by clients, brothel owners, law enforcement personnel, police, non-paying or intimate partners, families, neighbors, and peers. Traumatic experiences can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Additionally, the constant need to negotiate boundaries, handle difficult clients, and navigate potentially dangerous situations can create chronic stress and exacerbate mental health challenges. As a result, FSWs have a very high propensity for suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and other mental disorders. Therefore, it is essential to consider their voices and perspectives when discussing policies, programs, and interventions aimed at supporting their mental health and well-being.

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is an aggressive and heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis, and it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Genetic information on DNA repair is increasingly used in diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment selection and will ostensibly translate to an overall survival benefit—at least for certain subgroups of patients. In this commentary, we outline the promise and challenges of precision oncology and discuss how the prospects depend not only on genomic data but also on deep-tissue immune profiling. The technological breakthroughs in antibody-based therapies have paved the way for the introduction of new therapeutics.