Gender has profound, complex effects across all fields of health, and the fields of neurology and neurosurgery are no exception. Biological differences such as sex hormones across the life cycle affect the symptoms and onset of Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other conditions. Cultural mores mean that women do most of the caregiving for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and other conditions, even when they are at greater risk than men for developing many of them. Even history plays a part, as for generations women have been left out of clinical trials.
For Women's History Month 2021, clinicians from the Duke Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery came together to discuss the intersections between neurology, neurosurgery and women's health. These articles examine some of the ways neurological conditions impact women's lives, identify how women can prevent conditions or live longer, fuller lives with them, and examine ways they are working as clinicians to improve care for women. Please enjoy them and look out for a companion series examining the intersections of neurology, neurosurgery, and men's health for Men's Health Month in June.