Venous Health Inequities: Research, Access, and Policy
Sex Differences in Thrombosis Biology
A mouse model study found aspirin reduced thrombus formation, vein wall inflammation, and fibrosis after deep vein thrombosis, but female mice needed a higher dose for the same effect, suggesting relative aspirin resistance. A related chart review found many patients, especially women, discontinued anticoagulation over time.
Racial and Gender Disparities in Care
Registry data showed minority patients presented with more severe superficial venous disease yet underwent fewer ablations and phlebectomies, and Black patients had the highest pulmonary embolism mortality nationally. Two systematic reviews found venous trials consistently fail to report outcomes stratified by sex or ethnicity.
Disaster Preparedness and Global Perspective
A Japanese disaster medicine committee described reduced deep vein thrombosis rates in earthquake shelters after introducing cardboard beds and screening programs, addressing immobility related thrombosis risk during evacuations.
Working with Insurers
A payer medical director outlined how new procedures gain coverage, how peer to peer reviews work, and why documentation and outcomes matter, while AVF leaders described advocacy resources including a policy navigator tool and coding valuation efforts.
