Systemic sex (not gender) bias in medical devices

[Gmom]

I was annoyed to read the description of the government review of “systemic racism and gender bias in medical devices” mentioned the Guardian this week as surely it’s sex bias not gender bias. I don’t know if Javid used the term gender in the Sunday Times or if that’s how the Guardian reported it. Whether or not a standard respirator fits your face is going to be correlated to sex not gender. It’s an example of where pretending biological sex doesn’t exist is harmful (and likely more harmful to women.)

The UK health secretary, Sajid Javid, has announced a review into systemic racism and gender bias in medical devices in response to concerns it could contribute to poorer outcomes for women and people of colour......
“Adequate viral protection can only be provided by respirators that properly fit the wearer’s facial characteristics. Initial fit pass rates [the rate at which they pass a test on how well they fit] vary between 40% and 90% and are especially low in female and in Asian healthcare workers,” one review published in 2020 notes.”

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/21/from-oximeters-to-ai-where-bias-in-medical-devices-may-lurk

I think that when gender critical feminists refuse to accept that the socio-political concept of gender identity should replace that of sex they should emphasise these sorts of issues.

I think till recently it wasn't a huge issue; this is all very much down to face and nose bridge size. And I think most people will know that "gender" in this case means sex.

however they will start to have to make a distinction soon. People are so extremely confused by all these terms.

Face mask wise I've certainly found I need a smaller mask and I have to wear children's goggles. I can't imagine what it's like being a hospital worker or other public facing role where face mask gear must fit correctly. Eg firefighters etc.

In Material Girls, Kathleen Stock gives three definitions of gender, and one is "as a polite alternative to the word 'sex'" (my words, not a quote). So whilst I get the point, it's only because of the recent debates about gender identity that this has become an issue.

As a small woman, this has been an issue my whole life. Operating tables are too high - I have to stand on a box. Any grippy type instruments are too big for my hands.

I'm not aware of any issues from the perspective of the female patient, but I bet there are.

I bought Material Girls and plan to read it over Christmas if it doesn't annoy me too much.
I think my point is that the Guardian and the research studies they site should be using the word sex for clarity now that gender isn't considered equivalent to sex by a number of people. I think the point needs to be made in a case like this that sex is what matters because of all the dimwits who think it shouldn't even exist as a concept.

It was reported that knee replacements are based more on male dimensions than female which is why they don't work as well in women