Sabrina Islam, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, spoke to Philadelphia Magazine on Mar. 13 about why women are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR or defibrillation during emergencies.
This topic is important because timely CPR can be critical for survival in cardiac emergencies, and disparities in care may affect outcomes for women.
Islam referenced a 2024 Duke University study that found women are 14 percent less likely than men to receive bystander CPR or defibrillation. She said several factors contribute to this difference, including a lack of awareness that women face the same cardiovascular risk as men.
The discussion highlights ongoing concerns about gender disparities in emergency medical response and underscores the need for increased public education regarding women’s heart health risks.
Experts say addressing these gaps could improve survival rates and ensure more equitable care for all individuals experiencing cardiac emergencies.
