As temperatures warm and this very unusual academic year draws to a close, it’s time for me to sign off for the summer. Building upon the incredible work of WHRY’s past bloggers, Dhiksha, Sue, and Anjali, I have delved into topics that make me wonder “Why Didn’t I Know This?”
I’m sure you’ll agree this year presented unprecedented challenges, but for me it also allowed for novel learning opportunities. From the historical connection between voting rights and pandemics, to the sex and gender differences with COVID-19 vaccine side effects, I sought to understand some of the ways the pandemic is shaping women’s health. I also explored topics unrelated to the pandemic, seeking to answer questions such as: Does it matter if your doctor looks like you? Or what is femtech, and what does it have to do with framing women’s health? And I celebrated major milestones for women across the globe, including the election of the our very first female Vice President and the passing of a Scottish bill ensuring that free period products will be available for all.
I am so grateful to my mentors at WHRY, Dr. Carolyn Mazure, Rick Harrison, and Briana Raucci, who have shared countless nuggets of wisdom in addition to their unwavering support. They have guided me on an eye-opening journey through which I’ve come to understand that sex-and-gender differences are present in nearly all facets of health. Now when I read a new scientific or news article, I find myself wondering what sex-and-gender difference might exist that has yet to be researched, and I hope that through reading along, you have also come to develop a similar intuition as well.
At the end of the day, understanding what makes us different is about improving the health of everyone. I feel very inspired and empowered to bring this perspective with me through my journey into health care. Thank you for tuning in, and take care!
Ke'ala Akau is a fellow with Women's Health Research at Yale and a junior in Branford College majoring in the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. Read more on her blog: "Why Didn't I Know This?"