Gender medicine between awareness and outreach

Before medicine, are we all the same? It depends on several factors, including our sex and gender. The topic was explored in depth during an episode of Il Quotidiano, broadcast on RSI, with Professor Susanna Grego, cardiologist in charge of the Rare Cardiovascular Diseases unit at Cardiocentro Ticino and holder of the "Sex and Gender Medicine" course at USI.

Medical care that is tailored to a person's specific needs based on their gender and sex is referred to as gender medicine. This approach considers biological, social and cultural differences between males and females, as well as different gender identities, to provide more personalised and effective care and treatment. It acknowledges that men and women may experience different symptoms, respond differently to treatments and have varying genetic predispositions for certain illnesses, such as heart attacks. Recent research has shown that women have a mortality rate twice as high as men (11.8% compared to 4.8%) within 30 days of having a heart attack.

Also, in connection with heart attacks, it was found that women under the age of 55 are taken into care later than men. These data underline just how important sex and gender are in the care of patients, as Professor Susanna Grego explains.

The "Sex and Gender Medicine" course at USI has the objective of educating students about the significance of gender differences while providing patient care. It also promotes awareness of these issues to prevent any potential biases based on sex or gender. The report includes an interview with Carlotta Cimiotti and Alina Häfliger, medical students from USI Faculty of Biomedical Sciences.

Below is the video from the 21 August 2023 broadcast of Il Quotidiano.