by Vanessa Carvalho, on behalf of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinating Panel
Gender neurology is an expanding field in neurosciences. Sex and gender (S&G) are increasingly recognised as influencing the prevalence, symptoms, and management of people with neurological disorders. S&G also influence access to healthcare systems and how those systems respond to an individual’s needs. As knowledge on the impact of sex and gender in neurological disorders improves, gaps in that knowledge are becoming more evident. In line with this, the EAN established in 2019 a Coordinating Panel on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to promote awareness and foster research in these topics.
At the upcoming EAN Annual Congress in Budapest, several sessions are devoted to the impact of S&G, not only on neurological disorders, but also on the lives and opportunities (particularly leadership roles) of both clinicians and researchers.
On Sunday, at lunchtime (13:00-14:30), we have the Special Session Challenges for Women in Neurology. This year the session brings together Prof. Christine Klein from Germany, Prof. Alessandra Fanciulli from Austria, and Prof. Isabel Pavão Martins from Portugal. They will share with the audience the challenges they faced and overcame to became leaders in a still predominantly male world. So, we invite everyone (regardless of their gender) to join and be inspired and learn from these world-renowned leaders.
On Monday morning at 10:30 you can join us at the Scientific Theatre to hear Prof. Maria Teresa Ferretti, Chief Scientific Officer of the Women’s Brain Project (WBP), who will present the results of a recent white paper by the WBP which highlights the differences of S&G in five brain diseases and provides recommendations to stakeholders on how to consider these aspects to improve research outcomes.
And don’t worry; S&G minorities were not forgotten. On Monday, after lunch (14:00-14:30), Prof. Alessandra Nicolletti will present at the Scientific Theatre a survey performed among Italian neurologists and residents on the awareness and attitudes towards the health needs of S&G minorities.
Finally, on Monday, at 17:30, join us for a Studio Session on EAN TV titled Sex and gender considerations in neurological disorders, in which the impact of S&G on different neurological disorders such as migraine, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy will be discussed.
We hope you can join us, and we are looking forward to seeing you in Budapest!
