Laura Bush Believes Differences Matter

Former first lady Laura W. Bush delivered remarks in Lubbock today to show her support for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and to raise awareness for the differences between men and women in health care delivery.

“Women across the country and around the world need answers to their unique health issues,” Bush said. “The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health is committed to finding these answers.”

Bush addressed these important differences at a luncheon supporting the institute and its research and educational programs, along with Chancellor Kent Hance and President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D.

“We are very grateful to have Mrs. Bush’s continued support and are honored to have her as the namesake of our institute,” Hance said.

Many health discoveries and/or recommendations that apply to men may be different for women. More than 90 percent of national medical recommendations are based on a majority of research performed on men.

In an effort to address these differences, the institute is spearheading a project with the School of Medicine to develop an innovative, four-year longitudinal medical education curriculum focusing on women’s health and medicine.

This unique education is a rising discipline that focuses on the differing medical needs of men and women. It is based on scientific discoveries that have been made in the past 15 years. The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health is bringing this information to the forefront of professional health care education.

Men and women respond differently to common therapies such as cholesterol medications and aspirin in prevention of heart attack and stroke, said Steven L. Berk, M.D., provost, executive vice president and dean of the School of Medicine.

“Other examples are the effects of osteoporotic hip fractures and the health effects of alcohol use,” Berk said. “Men and women even communicate differently with their health care provider. All of this and much more has led us to designate this focused education for our medical students as a priority so they can better care for patients.”

The institute is also developing a lecture series for doctors, nurses and pharmacists. This series will educate health care providers about differences in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of common health issues among men and women.