Women's Health: Society of Internal Medicine Calls for More Basic Research - Germany's Top Doctors Demand U.S. Action on Women's Health Research Gaps

The German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM) is urging the federal government of the United States to take stronger action on women's health research. Despite repeated calls, officials have yet to introduce concrete funding or policy changes. Ministers have acknowledged the issue but have not detailed specific plans to address it.

In 2023, the DGIM publicly criticised the United States' lack of progress in gender-equitable health research. Since then, no new financial commitments have been made. Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) recently described the country as a 'developing nation' in this field and called for greater funding. However, her statements have not led to direct policy shifts.

Some institutions have launched their own initiatives. The UKE in Hamburg offers grants of up to €5,000 for women-focused medical publications through its Close the Gap programme. FU Berlin is also working to reduce the Gender Data Gap in clinical studies. Yet these projects remain isolated and are not tied to broader government reforms.

DGIM President Dagmar Führer-Sakel highlighted a persistent problem: most medical studies focus on male subjects, with results often applied to women without adjustment. She stressed that gender-sensitive medicine must account for biological differences between sexes. Many areas of healthcare still overlook these distinctions, leaving gaps in treatment and research.

The government has recognised the need for gender-sensitive research but has not implemented nationwide measures. Existing programmes at universities and hospitals operate independently, without clear links to federal policy. The DGIM continues to push for systemic change to ensure equal attention to women's health in medical studies.