European Parliament calls for greater equality in healthcare.

On 16 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on gender inequalities in healthcare. Among other measures, it calls for a European strategy on women’s health and greater consideration of sex and gender differences in research, prevention and care. The underlying concern is that equitable healthcare does not always mean treating everyone in the same way. Differences can affect the risk of disease, symptoms and responses to medicines.

Greater consideration of differences in research and care

In her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recalled the progress made on women’s rights: “We have fought so hard for equal treatment, equal opportunities, equal pay.” On the same day, the European Parliament brought equality in healthcare into focus with its resolution.

Numerous examples show why greater attention to sex and gender differences is needed. Heart attacks and strokes can present differently in women; some cardiovascular risk factors differ; and medicines can have different effects because of differences in metabolism. There are also specific health needs related to menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and reproductive health, as well as conditions such as endometriosis.

The Parliament therefore calls for these differences to receive greater attention in research, prevention and care. Von der Leyen could perhaps add “equal health” to her list of “equal treatment, equal opportunities, equal pay”.

Some proposals remain politically contested

Irish MEP and rapporteur Billy Kelleher (Renew, Ireland) argued in the plenary debate for patient-centred healthcare based on comprehensive research and targeted approaches, with health equity at its core.

A series of separate votes, known as “split votes”, showed which points were politically contested. Nevertheless, most of the report’s central statements secured a majority, including its intersectional approach to women’s health and the inclusion of transgender, non-binary, intersex and gender-diverse people. A reference to limited access to healthcare related to gender transition was adopted by a particularly narrow margin of 311 votes to 309.

The passages on sexual and reproductive health also remained largely intact. A majority in Parliament supports the “My Voice, My Choice” citizens’ initiative and the call to enshrine the right to safe and legal abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Several binding requirements, mandatory training for healthcare staff and an explicit call for additional budgetary resources did not secure a majority. The political direction of the report, which the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) had adopted on 23 June, was thus maintained.