Campaigners have demanded “urgent action” after a new report revealed “systemic” gender inequalities in the health system.
Both the Scottish Government and NHS are being urged to act as the group Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) said the inequalities mean “too many people” are “ultimately not receiving the support they need”.
Its new report, based on insights from more than 50 representatives from Scotland’s third sector, stresses there is “clear evidence of systemic misogyny in our healthcare system”.
It adds: “Evidence of misogyny, or prejudice against women, in Scotland’s health system is extensive.
“We heard numerous examples from VHS members of women reporting being misdiagnosed, excluded or dismissed by medical professionals. One respondent referred to this as ‘institutional gaslighting’.”
I have undergone several medical procedures where the failure to offer pain relief or anaesthesia left me in significant physical and mental distress
Report author and VHS policy and public affairs lead Sarah Latto said: “You don’t have to be working in Scotland’s health landscape to have an awareness of gender-related health inequalities.
“For most of us, they are an ever-present, but often hidden, reality of our lives.”
She added: “As a cisgender woman I have often felt invisible when navigating Scotland’s health system.
“I have first-hand experience of my pain being minimised and my symptoms being dismissed by clinicians.
“I have undergone several medical procedures where the failure to offer pain relief or anaesthesia left me in significant physical and mental distress.”
The report goes on to also make clear that “gender-related societal norms and stereotypes play a considerable role in health experiences and access to healthcare”.
Here, the research states: “Women are often less able to prioritise their own health because they tend to assume caring responsibilities whilst men and trans/non-binary people are more likely to avoid seeking healthcare due to internalised stigma and widespread societal prejudice.”
It adds that while “sex and gender contribute to significant health inequalities in Scotland”, when these are combined with other characteristics – such as age or disability – “the potential harm to health is often compounded or magnified”.
The report tells how “older women seem to be at increased risk of gender-related bias”, adding that their health concerns can be dismissed “sometimes in a patronising way, by health professionals as ‘wear and tear’”.
Meanwhile, disabled women are “likely to have negative health outcomes or experiences due to a combination of misogyny and ableism” – with the report stating this problem particularly impacts women with learning difficulties who are accessing gynaecological or reproductive health care.
To tackle such problems the report makes a series of recommendations – including a call for the wider health workforce to undergo “tailored training on the specific impact of sex and gender on health outcomes and experiences”.
It states that “all health policy must adopt a sex and gender lens”, adding there is a “key role” for equality impact assessments in highlighting inequalities.
This research demonstrates that gender inequalities in Scotland’s health system are systemic
The report says there is a need to “invest in campaigns to raise public awareness of the impact of sex and gender on health experiences and outcomes”.
Speaking as the report was published, VHS chief executive Tejesh Mistry said: “This research demonstrates that gender inequalities in Scotland’s health system are systemic.
“Too many people are not being seen, heard or believed, and ultimately not receiving the support they need.
“The third sector is playing a vital role in supporting people experiencing inequalities that can go missing in our health system, yet clearly urgent action is required from government, the NHS and across the system to bridge these unacceptable gaps.”
Ms Latto added: “This report reflects the everyday realities of so many people. When you piece together the stories of stigma, discrimination and misogyny shared by our members, a narrative of deep-rooted health inequalities emerges.
“We need targeted action now to change this narrative and create lasting change.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government acknowledges that it is an unacceptable reality that outcomes across Scotland including health, wellbeing and life expectancy continue to vary significantly depending on people’s circumstances.
“Through Scotland’s population health framework, the Scottish Government is taking a whole‑system, population‑level approach, recognising that these inequalities are driven by wider structural, social, economic and environmental factors and require co-ordinated action across government and partners.
“Additionally, the women’s health plan and phase two, published in January 2026, sets the Scottish Government’s ambition to address health inequalities to ensure all women and girls enjoy the best possible health, throughout their lives.”