Lack of female researchers and participants in regenerative-medicine research holds everyone back

Regenerative medicine, which aims to treat chronic and life-threatening diseases, faces a significant challenge: the underrepresentation of women and non-binary people in research. This lack of diversity can lead to treatments that aren’t as safe or effective for everyone. For example, in cardiovascular disease (CVD) trials, women are underrepresented, making up only 18-20% of participants in regenerative medicine studies. This gap means that findings might not apply equally to all genders. To address this, it’s crucial to intentionally recruit and retain diverse participants and researchers. Women and non-binary people often face barriers like underdiagnosis and societal pressures, which can lead to lower participation and higher dropout rates in studies. Increasing diversity in leadership and research teams can help create more inclusive and effective medical treatments. QUESTION: How might increasing diversity in medical research impact the development of future treatments?