Women with same health conditions as men ‘less likely to be offered active treatment’

The study concluded the discrepancy was not a result of the need for different clinical approaches to women’s health. Photograph: Mike Ford/Alamy

Women with the same medical condition as men are less likely to be offered treatment such as surgery, a stent or a strong painkiller, research has found.

A review of global research found that for several health problems, including cardiovascular conditions, kidney disease and Parkinson’s, women were less likely to receive the same treatment as men, revealing the extent to which women have significantly unequal care.