Misogynoir in Medicine: Dismantling Bias in Dermatology and Beyond

As a Black woman and a dermatologist, I exist at the intersection of multiple truths: the promise of medicine, the resilience of women, and the undeniable persistence of misogyny and racism in our field. In particular, the term “misogynoir,” coined by writer Moya Bailey in 2008,¹ defines the unique discrimination directed at Black women, rooted in both racism and sexism. Sadly, it is not abstract or theoretical. It is a lived experience, and it permeates our medical institutions, our clinical research, and even our patient care.

This message is not just about equity for equity’s sake. It is about improving outcomes, honoring our humanity, and finally listening to voices that have been too long ignored.

THE OVERLOOKED POWER OF WOMEN

Women make up 51% of the population, yet our health issues are routinely dismissed, misdiagnosed, and underfunded. In dermatology, women often come to my practice after being brushed off by multiple providers. They were told to “stop scratching” or dismissed with a vague diagnosis such as “dermatitis,” when in fact they were suffering from psoriasis or even lupus.

This is not just about better bedside manner; it is about systemic disparities. According to McKinsey and the World Economic Forum, closing the women’s health gap could boost the global economy by $1 trillion.² That is how deep this inequity goes. Women account for 70% of people with chronic pain, but 80% of the pain medications used today have been tested predominantly on men.³ Women were not even routinely included in clinical trials until the 1990s.

The situation is even worse for Black women. Our pain is more likely to be dismissed and our symptoms more likely to be labeled as “drug-seeking.” This has dire consequences, from missed diagnoses to unnecessary suffering.

Women are often labeled “aggressive” while men are called “assertive.” Black women are “claiming” pain while white patients are “reporting” it. In clinical documentation and casual conversation, these linguistic biases quietly undermine credibility and trust.

A CALL TO CONSCIOUS ACTION

Fixing this starts with awareness but cannot end there. Here are actionable strategies for creating change, whether you are a dermatologist, a researcher, or simply a human being who cares:

• Cultivate Curiosity: Spend time with colleagues outside your usual circle. Ask questions. Listen without defensiveness.
• Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Whether it is confronting your own biases or putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, growth does not happen in safety.
• Examine Your Biases—Conscious and Unconscious: We all have them. But unexamined bias in medicine leads to misdiagnosis, mistrust, and mistreatment.
• Have Difficult, Respectful Conversations: Talk to colleagues about disparities in patient care, hiring, and leadership. Be ready to listen and reflect, not just defend your viewpoint.
• Take Personal Responsibility: Change does not happen when we wait for someone else to act. Do not just admire the courage of others; add your voice, your name, and your effort.
• Work Together Across Differences: Whether you are in private practice or academia, build bridges with people from diverse backgrounds. Shared humanity starts with shared experience.

PROGRESS IS NOT PIE

Equal rights for others do not mean fewer rights for anyone else. This is not pie.

As Lebanese philosopher Khalil Gibran has been widely credited with saying, “Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.”

We can do better. We must do better. The health of our patients, and the integrity of our profession, depends on it. 

1. Bailey M. Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women’s Digital Resistance. New York: NYU Press; 2021.

2. Ellingrud K, Perez L, Peterson A, Sartori V. Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies. McKinsey Health Institute. January 17, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2025. https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies

3. Women and pain: Disparities in experience and treatment. Harvard Health Publishing. October 9, 2017. Accessed December 10, 2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/women-and-pain-disparities-in-experience-and-treatment-2017100912562