Putting power and potential behind gender equity in health care isn't just common sense. It's critical to the future of health, safety, and independence for us all as we age, so says the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) in a new position statement released today, International Day of Older Persons. The statement outlines strategic objectives that can help us achieve a simple truth: "When women rise, we all rise."
"Gender discrimination isn't just 'wrong.' It has real and alarmingly negative public health consequences," said Sunny Linnebur, PharmD, FCCP, FASCP, BCPS, BCGP, president of the AGS. "At a time when more of us than ever before are poised to contribute to our communities thanks to longer lifespans, we need the whole of society--irrespective of gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation--to stand against discrimination as we stand up for women. Because when women rise, we all rise."
In the new position statement published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS; DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16195), the AGS Women in Geriatrics Section and Public Policy Committee reviewed evidence, position statements from other organizations, and recommendations for addressing gender inequity from other professional groups. The workgroup recognized that the workforce caring for older people is diverse, encompassing direct care workers, family caregivers, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and many other health professionals. The resulting statement focuses on four recommendations for ending gender discrimination across fields and practices:
To make these priorities a reality, the AGS position statement also offers specific recommendations for groups critical to future progress. These include:
###
The full AGS position statement and list of recommendations is available for free from JAGS. For more information on ways you can support women in the workforce--particularly the women clinicians, educators, researchers, and advocates we need as we age--visit AmericanGeriatrics.org/Where-We-Stand or bit.ly/WhenWomenRise .
About the American Geriatrics Society
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has--for more than 75 years--worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Our nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org .
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society