Investigating Gender Disparities Research Articles

Investigating Gender Disparities in Internal Medicine Residency Awards

In 2017, for the first time in history women made up the majority of matriculating medical students.1 Despite the improvements in representation that women have seen in academic medicine, the field remains rife with gender disparities: Female faculty members receive lower salaries,2 hold fewer full professor and department chair positions,3,4 and are less frequently awarded research grants than their male counterparts.5 In addition, recent studies have highlighted the lack of female representation in awards from medical professional societies.

Part-time by Gender, Not Choice: The Gender Gap in Involuntary Part-time Work

Gender inequality in the labor market is a key focus of stratification research. Increasingly, variation in hours worked separates men and women’s employment experiences. Though women often voluntarily work part-time at higher rates than men, involuntary part-time work is both analytically distinct from voluntary part-time work and leaves workers economically precarious. To date, researchers have not systematically investigated gender disparities in involuntary part-time work in the United States. Utilizing Current Population Survey data, we test for a gender gap in involuntary part-time work and evaluate two potential mechanisms: occupational segregation and penalties for care work. We find that women are much more likely than men to work in involuntary part-time positions. Occupational segregation and a care work penalty partially, but not fully, explain this gap. Findings extend existing theories of gender inequality in the workforce and show how an underresearched dimension of job quality creates gender stratification in the United States.

Abstract B04: Gender-based impact of chemo-radiotherapy in the gut microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid levels of adults with rectal cancers

Abstract Background: The gut microbiome is essential in maintaining the host immune system and may influence the host response to cancer therapeutics. Particularly, by the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) through fermentation of dietary fibers, the gut microbiota helps regulate the immune system. SCFA levels can be affected by changes in gut microbiome composition either by chemo-radiotherapy treatment (CRT) or by gender disparities. We had previously observed that CRT significantly reduced Shannon diversity index and the observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) during CRT in rectal cancers. Here, we examined the impact of CRT on the levels of SCFAs in adults with RC and investigated gender disparities in the gut microbiome associated with CRT. Methods: We evaluated the gut microbiome of 35 newly diagnosed RC patients scheduled to receive CRT. Demographics, health forms, and stool samples were collected before and after CRT (12-16 treatments). We sequenced the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rDNA and measured levels of SCFA (from Acetate [C2] to Octonoate [C8]) by LC-MS/MS and results were expressed in log2 (nmol/mg). Alpha diversity (Shannon index [community diversity] and Observed OTUs [community richness]) was calculated using the QIIME2 software and all statistical analyses were performed in R statistical software. Results: Study participants were 35 subjects (20 males vs. 15 females) with an average age of 61.1±9.8 years, even though females tended to be younger than males (57.9±9.8 vs. 63.8±9.3, p=0.08). While females had a trend for a higher Shannon index when compared to males before CRT (6.46±0.31 vs. 6.11±0.43, p=0.09), they had significantly lower Shannon index (5.26±0.31 vs. 5.94±0.60, p=0.02) and observed OTUs (117±7.6 vs. 170±61.0, p=0.03) after CRT, and females had a higher reduction than males (p=0.04). In regard to SCFA, there was an overall increase on the levels of propionate after CRT compared to before CRT (4.10±0.78 vs. 3.64±1.00, p=0.02). However, while there was no difference in the levels of SCFA based on biologic gender after CRT, females had significantly higher levels of propionate (4.32 ±0.68 vs. 3.60±0.90) and butyrate (2.73 ± 0.82 vs. 1.70 ±1.29) at the end of CRT, while men did not show any significant difference in SCFA during CRT. Conclusion: Chemo-radiotherapy resulted in dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and also changed the levels of SCFA. However, these changes in the microbiome associated with CRT were different in females versus males. Our findings suggest that biologic sex may play a key role in the development of personalized cancer treatment strategies. Citation Format: Carlos Sola-Morla, Velda Gonzalez-Mercado, Josue Perez-Santiago. Gender-based impact of chemo-radiotherapy in the gut microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid levels of adults with rectal cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Microbiome, Viruses, and Cancer; 2020 Feb 21-24; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(8 Suppl):Abstract nr B04.

Gender disparities in the application of public-access AED pads among OHCA patients in public locations

BackgroundFemale out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients have been reported to be less likely to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystanders compared with male patients in prehospital settings. However, no clinical studies have investigated gender disparities in the application of public-access automated external defibrillator (AED) pads among OHCA patients in public locations. MethodsOHCA data from 2011 to 2018 were obtained from the OHCA registry in Osaka City, Japan and OHCAs that occurred in public locations were included. Gender differences in receiving public-access AED pad application by bystanders were assessed according to the age of the OHCA patient (<15, 15–49, 50–74, and ≥75 years) after controlling confounders. ResultsThe analysis included 4358 OHCA patients (3313 male and 1045 female patients). The multivariable logistic regression analyses found no significant gender differences in the likelihood of public-access AED pad application among patients aged <15 years (5.3% in male patients vs 6.3% in female patients; adjusted OR = 1.00, p = 1.000), 50–74 years (16.8% vs 12.7%; adjusted OR = 0.96, p = 0.796), and ≥75 years (12.3% vs 14.8%; adjusted OR = 1.45, p = 0.098). In contrast, among patients aged 15–49 years, female patients were significantly less likely to receive public-access AED pad application compared with male patients (12.1% vs 5.2%; adjusted OR = 0.54, p = 0.032). ConclusionIn this population, female OHCA patients of reproductive age (15–49 years) were less likely to receive public-access AED pad application compared with male patients of the same age group.

Gender and Status in American Political Science: Who Determines Whether a Scholar Is Noteworthy?

We investigate gender disparities in status construction in American political science, focusing on three questions: 1) Do institutions within the discipline of political science—including departments, APSA, editorial boards, and academic honor societies–reflect or remedy gender disparities that exist in many forms of recognition, including appointments to top leadership and citations? 2) Are institutions with centralized and accountable appointment mechanisms less gender skewed compared to networked and decentralized selection processes where implicit bias may go unchecked? 3) Does leaning in help? Does the effort of women to publish and to claim a seat at leadership tables increase the likelihood that higher-level status positions will follow? We find that the distribution of highest-status positions is still gender skewed, that women are over-represented in positions that involve more service than prestige, that “leaning in” by serving as section chair, on editorial boards, or on academic councils is not necessarily a gateway to higher-status appointments, and that accountability promotes greater gender parity. The study raises questions about the goal of gender parity when it comes to lower-status service, and about the types of contributions our discipline rewards.

Investigating Gender Disparity between Female and Male Heads of Department (Infant) in Primary Schools in Botswana: The Perspectives of Primary Deputy School Heads

Investigating Gender Disparity between Female and Male Heads of Department (Infant) in Primary Schools in Botswana: The Perspectives of Primary Deputy School Heads

Gender disparities in fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic repair.

Gender disparities in risk factors and outcomes following aortic repair are important issues in healthcare. To date, no large-scale multicentre study addresses this topic in complex endovascular aortic repair. We aimed to determine the outcomes following fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic repair of aneurysms and dissections in female and male patients. Health insurance claims data of Germany's third largest insurance provider, DAK-Gesundheit, were used to investigate gender disparities in elective fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic repair of thoraco-abdominal or abdominal aortic aneurysms or dissections performed between 2008 and 2017. Elixhauser comorbidities and the linear van Walraven score were used to adjust for confounders in the multivariable analyses. There were 959 patients in the cohort, in whom 163 (17%) were female. The mean age was 73 ± 8 years with no differences between females and males. No gender disparities were observed regarding the van Walraven comorbidity score (6.9 vs 6.8, P = 0.83), but complications occurred more frequently in females. Acute renal failure (relative risk 1.71, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.77), paraplegia (relative risk 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.28-5.77) and bleeding or anaemia requiring transfusion (relative risk 1.76, 95% confidence interval 1.39-2.22) were more common in women. In multivariable models, female patients were at a higher risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio 3.206, P < 0.001). Consequently, female gender was associated with lower long-term survival (hazard ratio 1.506, P = 0.006). In complex endovascular aortic repair, females are more likely to experience complications and have worse in-hospital and, consequently, long-term survival when compared to males. Future studies should include anatomic parameters to determine the impact of anatomy on outcome disparities.

Investigating gender disparities in the profile and treatment outcomes of tuberculosis in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

SUMMARY Globally, twice as many men as women are being diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) annually. Little is known about gender differentials in TB in Africa. A retrospective cohort analysis of routine data was conducted on adult TB patients treated between 2011 and 2012 in two large healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Gender differences in their demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes were analysed accordingly. Of 1668 TB patients enrolled, the male:female ratio was 1.4:1. The mean ages of males and females were 40.2 ± 14.7 and 36.1 ± 14.6 years, respectively (t test 6.62, P < 0.001). Male gender was associated with a higher failure to smear convert after 2 months (21.8% vs. 17.5%, P = 0.06) and 5 months (4.3% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.02) of treatment for smear-positive TB patients. Moreover, men were more likely than women to fail treatment (2.2% vs. 0.7%, P = 0.01). No significant differences exist in the treatment success rates between women and men (78.2% vs. 74.5%, P = 0.08). Adjusted analyses showed significant association between being an urban male and a HIV-infected female with unsuccessful outcome adjusted by socio-demographic and clinical factors. We found that gender disparities exist in TB profile and treatment outcomes in Nigeria and gender-specific strategies are needed to optimize TB management.

Gender Disparity in Pediatric Diseases

Sex/gender differences in terms of incidence, prevalence, age at onset and severity have been documented for several complex adulthood diseases. However, several pediatric diseases also displayed a gender disparity. Unfortunately, epidemiologic studies investigating gender disparity in pediatric age show dissimilar results often depending on the spatial and temporal issues, to considerable regional environmental variations, to social conditions or to infectious agent virulence. Anyway, studies over time showed that gender disparity in childhood mortality and morbidity may be narrow in some pathological conditions whereas in other severe diseases, e.g. sepsis, some cancers and some immune disorders, the disproportion was found as significant. In this work we briefly review literature data dealing with sex/gender differences in morbidity and mortality observed during the pediatric age. In particular, communicable and non-communicable diseases, including cancer, have been considered. The possible mechanisms underlining these differences, e.g. hormonal and epigenetic, are also discussed. The analysis of literature available as concerns pediatric age seems to underline that gender differences start very early in human beings and that hormones as well as gene expression in XX and XY cells can play a role. A reappraisal of the gender issue in pediatric research could thus be pivotal: it might contribute to the improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies as well as to the improvement of the appropriateness of the cures.

Gender Differences in Academic Productivity and Academic Career Choice Among Urology Residents

Gender disparities have long existed in medicine but they have not been well examined in urology. We analyzed a large cohort of graduating urology residents to investigate gender disparities in academic productivity, as measured by peer reviewed publications and academic career choice. We assembled a list of urology residents who graduated from 2002 through 2008 who were affiliated with the top 50 urology hospitals, as ranked by 2009 U.S. News & World Report. PubMed® was queried to determine the publication output of each resident during the last 3 years of residency. We used an Internet search to determine the fellowship training, career choice and academic rank of each subject. Gender effects on each factor were evaluated. A total of 459 male (84.5%) and 84 female (15.5%) residents were included in analysis. During residency women produced fewer total publications (average 3.0 vs 4.8, p = 0.01) and fewer as first author (average 1.8 vs 2.5, p = 0.03) than men. A higher proportion of women than men underwent fellowship training (54.8% vs 48.5%, p = 0.29) and ultimately chose an academic career (40.5% vs 33.3%, p = 0.20), although these differences were not statistically significant. Of residents who chose an academic career a higher proportion of men than women (24.7% vs 2.9%, p = 0.01) obtained associate vs assistant professor rank. Women produced fewer peer reviewed publications than men during residency but they were equally likely to undergo fellowship training and choose an academic career. During the study period a higher proportion of men achieved associate professor rank.

The Role of Transnational Feminism in Psychology

>> Denmark and Segovich’s (2012), Hyde’s (2012), and Marecek’s (2012) reflections on our article (Else-Quest & Grabe, 2012) further bolster the need for feminist psychology to investigate gender disparities in power. We offer a rejoinder that draws together the commonalities in our various perspectives by putting the study of structural power in a larger context. Echoing our call that ‘‘the political is personal,’’ Denmark and Segovich suggest that it is critical to ‘‘reduce upward’’ and consider the importance of country and culture in the psychology of women. Collaborative relationships with the United Nations can be effective in this process. Like Hyde, we share a concern that analyses using macro-level gender equity indicators in psychology be planned and interpreted carefully; indeed, this concern motivated our writing. Moreover, we maintain that the investigation of macro-level inequities (i.e., broad structural factors) as critical to the understanding of women’s psychological functioning is just one of many approaches that feminist researchers might employ. However, as with any approach, the research question should determine the method used. The question, in the example we put forth, is about identifying how structural patterns of domination and subjugation can impact women’s well-being. This approach should not substitute for a culturally sensitive investigation or means by which a researcher might generate knowledge about any given culture. We are well advised by Marecek that if our aims as researchers are to generate a richer understanding of gender subjectivities and gender relations, we should design approaches that are culturally appropriate and conducted in partnership with the women for whom the work most readily applies. Nevertheless, because of the inherent risks involved in using Western scholarship to influence women’s lives on a global scale, we offer three primary considerations that may help guard against the potential for Western psychology to further legitimize structures of domination. The first consideration involves an analysis of the tensions between universal and culturally relativistic human rights, as a parallel to understanding the role of ‘‘universal’’ (i.e., Western) theories and scholarship. Many feminists argue, for example, that universal norms surrounding women’s human rights, rather than culturally specific norms, can provide the theoretical

Gender Disparities in Disease-specific Health Status in Postoperative Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

ObjectivesTo investigate gender disparities in disease-specific health status (HS), 3- and 5-year post-intervention in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. DesignCohort study. MethodsData of 711 consecutively enrolled vascular surgery patients were collected in 11 hospitals in The Netherlands in 2004. HS was assessed with the Peripheral Artery Questionnaire (PAQ). Our sample included patients for whom it was possible to calculate a PAQ summary score at 3- and 5-year follow-up (n = 351). ResultsWomen experienced worse physical health (52.1 vs. 62.0, P = 0.012), greater disability (64.5 vs. 71.1, P = 0.026), and worse overall HS (58.1 vs. 66.7, P = 0.007) at 3-year follow-up than men. At 5-year follow-up, however, male and female patients reported similar levels of HS. Mean changes in overall HS from 3- to 5-year follow-up were significantly different for men and women (−4.12 vs. 1.69, P = 0.014). In male patients, overall HS was significantly lower at 5-year follow-up compared to the 3-year follow-up (66.7 vs. 62.6, P = 0.001). In female patients, there was no significant difference (58.1 vs. 59.8, P = 0.393). ConclusionsMen and women experience different levels of HS over time. Attention should be paid to gender disparities in postoperative PAD patients.

Gender, renal function, and outcomes on the liver transplant waiting list: Assessment of revised MELD including estimated glomerular filtration rate

The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) allocation system for liver transplantation (LT) may present a disadvantage for women by including serum creatinine, which is typically lower in females. Our objectives were to investigate gender disparities in outcomes among LT candidates and to assess a revised MELD, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), for predicting waiting list mortality. Adults registered for LT between 2002 and 2007 were identified using the UNOS database. We compared components of MELD, MDRD-derived eGFR, and the 3-month probability of LT and death between genders. Discrimination of MELD, MELDNa, and revised models including eGFR for mortality were compared using c-statistics. A total of 40,393 patients (36% female) met the inclusion criteria; 9% died and 24% underwent LT within 3 months of listing. Compared with men, women had lower median serum creatinine (0.9 vs. 1.0 mg/dl), eGFR (72 vs. 83 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), and mean MELD (16.5 vs. 17.2; all p <0.0005), but within most MELD strata, had higher bilirubin and INR. After adjusting for relevant covariates including creatinine and body weight, women were less likely than men to receive a LT (hazard ratio [HR] 0.85; 95% CI 0.79-0.87) and had greater 3-month mortality (HR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05-1.21). Revision of MELD and MELDNa to include eGFR did not improve discrimination for 3-month mortality (c-statistics: MELD 0.896, MELD-eGFR 0.894, MELDNa 0.911, MELDNa-eGFR 0.905). Women are disadvantaged under MELD potentially due to its inclusion of creatinine. However, since including eGFR in MELD does not improve mortality prediction, alternative refinements are necessary.

Family sources of educational gender inequality in rural China: A critical assessment

In this paper, we investigate the gender gap in education in rural northwest China. We first discuss parental perceptions of abilities and appropriate roles for girls and boys; parental concerns about old-age support; and parental perceptions of different labor market outcomes for girls' and boys' education. We then investigate gender disparities in investments in children, children's performance at school, and children's subsequent attainment. We analyze a survey of 9-12-year-old children and their families conducted in rural Gansu Province in the year 2000, along with follow-up information about subsequent educational attainment collected 7 years later. We complement our main analysis with two illustrative case studies of rural families drawn from 11 months of fieldwork conducted in rural Gansu between 2003 and 2005 by the second author.In 2000, most mothers expressed egalitarian views about girls' and boys' rights and abilities, in the abstract. However, the vast majority of mothers still expected to rely on sons for old-age support, and nearly one in five mothers interviewed agreed with the traditional saying, "Sending girls to school is useless since they will get married and leave home." Compared to boys, girls faced somewhat lower (though still very high) maternal educational expectations and a greater likelihood of being called on for household chores than boys. However, there was little evidence of a gender gap in economic investments in education. Girls rivaled or outperformed boys in academic performance and engagement. Seven years later, boys had attained just about a third of a year more schooling than girls-a quite modest advantage that could not be fully explained by early parental attitudes and investments, or student performance or engagement. Fieldwork confirmed that parents of sons and daughters tended to have high aspirations for their children. Parents sometimes viewed boys as having greater aptitude, but tended to view girls as having more dedication-an attribute parents perceived as being critical for educational success. Findings suggest that at least in Gansu, rural parental educational attitudes and practices toward boys and girls are more complicated and less uniformly negative for girls than commonly portrayed.

Gender and Commercial Science: Women’s Patenting in the Life Sciences

Traditional research on gender differences in productivity focuses on academic scientists, and rarely investigates outcomes other than publications. We investigate gender disparities in commercial outcomes, for scientists in both the academic and industrial sectors. Using a unique combination of career history data and patenting information across a period of two decades, we present descriptive statistics and graphical trends of male and female commercialization. Empirical evidence indicates that female scientists engage in and produce less commercial work then their male counterparts, and that the degree of disparity remains constant across time. The quality and impact of women’s commercial work remains the same or better than that of men scientists, however. These results imply that a necessary focus for future work is to understand the personal, structural, and organizational reasons for the filtering process which leads to such a small proportion of female inventors.

Working in the Identity Economy

Working in the Identity Economy