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Review
. 2025 Apr;4(4):101642.
doi: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101642. Epub 2025 Mar 19.

Gender Disparities in Cardiology: Learning From History to Envision the Future

Olubadewa A Fatunde  1 , Jelani K Grant  2 , Kyla Lara-Breitinger  3 , Olivia P Kizzee  4 , Juliana Savic  5 , Lisa LeMond  1 , Sharonne N Hayes  6
Affiliations
Review

Gender Disparities in Cardiology: Learning From History to Envision the Future

Olubadewa A Fatunde et al. JACC Adv. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Gender disparities within the field of cardiology are often described in the literature. However, it is not always clear how they came about, why they persist, or practically, what to do about them. Furthermore, the individuals usually tasked to address these disparities within an organization are usually the same individuals who are disproportionately affected by these disparities-women. In this review, the authors discuss the complex historical and systemic roots for the observed gender disparities within cardiology. They also highlight how men can not only be educated regarding experiences they may not face but also work toward fostering an improved working environment and eliminating of these gender disparities.

Keywords: actionable solutions; compensation; discrimination; equity; gender disparities; mentorship; sexism; women in cardiology; work-life integration.

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Conflict of interest statement

Funding support and author disclosures The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
The Trends From Different Stages of Medical Education and Cardiology Practice Above With increasing levels of training, the proportion of women declines.,
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Percentage of Women in Subspecialties of Cardiology Depicted Above (A and B) The data for successive years (2021 and 2022). The percentage of women in procedural cardiology subspecialties increased, while decreasing in advanced heart failure and transplant. Values were rounded to the nearest whole number (except when the sum would not add up to 100%).,
Figure 3
Figure 3
A Timeline of Events Pertaining to Women’s Presence in Medicine as Well as Research, Policies, and Legislation Addressing Gender Disparities ACC = American College of Cardiology; AHA = American Heart Association; WIC = women in cardiology.,
Central Illustration
Central Illustration
Gender Disparities in Cardiology: Learning From History to Envision the Future Abbreviation as in Figure 3.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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  • Reply: Gender Disparities Are Not Binary.
    Hayes SN, Fatunde OA, Grant JK, Kizzee OP, Lara-Breitinger K, LeMond L, Savic J. Hayes SN, et al. JACC Adv. 2025 Jul;4(7):101917. doi: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101917. Epub 2025 Jun 19. JACC Adv. 2025. PMID: 40540771 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Gender Disparities Are Not Binary.
    Cook SC, Ong C, Carazo M. Cook SC, et al. JACC Adv. 2025 Jul;4(7):101920. doi: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101920. Epub 2025 Jun 20. JACC Adv. 2025. PMID: 40543463 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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