Dr. Marilene Rezende Melo, presidency member of the Brazilian Association of Medical Women (ABMM) and former student of the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), was present, on June 10, 2022, at FMUSP’s  Directory for a conversation on the different ways that the most relevant diseases affect men and women, the main topic addressed by ABMM, which is part of the Medical Women's International Association.

ABMM has promoted activities to guide and disseminate the subject, in accordance with Law No. 17,431, of the State of São Paulo, of October 14, 2021, article 110, which calls for the inclusion of a special chapter on the disparities that most relevant diseases present in individuals of opposite sexes in the study of the internal medicine discipline in all state medical schools.

“There is a very large series of studies on gender medicine and in the United States, for example, there are already liver medications with dosages adapted for use by men and women. The subject is very important and needs to be discussed and further included in the curriculum of undergraduate and residency students", highlighted Prof. Magda Maria Sales Carneiro Sampaio, from the Department of Pediatrics at FMUSP and a member of ABMM.

Prof. Luiz Fernando Ferraz da Silva, from the Department of Pathology at FMUSP, reported that they discussed published data on, for instance, “mortality from myocardial infarction, which is higher in women, although the incidence of heart attack is higher in men”. He also added that “debate over these discrepancies is important for better patient care”. In addition, it’s essential to discuss how these subjects are included in FMUSP’s medical curriculum and how they can be improved.

Prof. Roger Chammas, Vice-Director of FMUSP, emphasized that the topic is already addressed within the Institution and “it’s necessary to expand, teach more concepts in different diseases, raise awareness and make accurate diagnoses”.

Also participating in the meeting were Prof. Tarcisio Eloy Pessoa de Barros Filho, Director of FMUSP and Prof. Yassuhiko Okay, Chief of Staff at FMUSP.

From this meeting, it was decided to hold an event at FMUSP to discuss the topic, to be held later this year, open to the academic community and other interested parties.