Lancing College MedSoc at ABHI Women’s Health Summit

Members of Lancing College MedSoc attended a leading women’s health conference in February, gaining first-hand insight into the urgent need for reform in medical research and data collection.

The event featured an address from Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England, who spoke powerfully about the longstanding gaps in data relating to women’s health and the pressing need for change. She highlighted how historical approaches to research have failed to adequately account for sex-specific differences, with significant implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Robyn Norton, Founding Director of the George Institute for Global Health, further explored the financial and systemic consequences of a healthcare model historically centred on the assumption that women are simply ‘smaller men’. In reality, she explained, women’s organ systems and disease presentation can differ markedly from men’s, a fact that has too often been overlooked in research and clinical practice.

Students also had the opportunity to meet author Caitlin Moran, who spoke candidly about global inequalities and the broader societal context surrounding women’s health.

Attending in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, the conference proved both timely and thought-provoking. Lancing’s aspiring medics left feeling inspired and motivated to advocate for greater accuracy, equity and recognition in medical research, particularly around the importance of data filtered by sex and gender to ensure better healthcare outcomes for women.

The College was proud to be the only school group represented at the conference. Sincere thanks go to Dr Nina Wilson, LPW parent and Clinical Advisor to the ABHI, for extending the invitation and enabling this valuable opportunity.