A new Commission published in The Lancet Haematology is calling for coordinated global efforts to address longstanding gaps in the diagnosis and management of hematologic conditions affecting women and girls.
Led by Cleveland Clinic hematologist Bethany Samuelson Bannow, MD, the report presents evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for conditions including inherited bleeding disorders, heavy menstrual bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, thrombosis, and maternal hematologic complications.
The Commission draws on evidence from clinical care, research, public health, and health policy. Its findings were presented during the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2026 Congress in Paris.
According to the authors, women and girls continue to experience significant inequities in blood-related health care, including higher rates of anemia, delayed diagnosis, undertreatment, and complications associated with bleeding and clotting disorders. These disparities are especially evident during menstruation, pregnancy, and the postpartum period.
Reducing diagnostic delays
Among the Commission’s most notable findings is the prolonged time to diagnosis for inherited bleeding disorders. Women currently wait an average of 14 to 16 years for a diagnosis, compared with approximately two years for men. The authors establish a goal of reducing the average interval from symptom onset to diagnosis for women and girls with bleeding disorders to less than 24 months by 2035 through broader screening recommendations and increased clinician education.
Heavy menstrual bleeding, which affects up to one in three women, is identified as a key opportunity for earlier detection of inherited bleeding disorders. The report recommends routine menstrual health assessments, wider use of bleeding assessment tools and stronger referral pathways to improve recognition and timely evaluation.
The Commission also recommends universal screening for heavy menstrual bleeding and iron deficiency, standardized postpartum hemorrhage protocols, and more individualized thrombosis management during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Additional priorities include updating clinical guidelines, increasing the representation of women in clinical research, expanding education for healthcare professionals and investing in women's health initiatives.
“Our findings underscore a major but addressable gap in women’s health worldwide. The tools already exist, and this paper offers a forward-looking roadmap to apply them more consistently and equitably,” said Bannow, director of Classical Hematology at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute in a press release.
“The evidence is clear that meaningful progress is possible,” Bannow added. “With coordinated action across clinical care, research, and education, we can deliver more timely, effective, and equitable hematology care for women and girls around the world.”
Note: This news summary was generated by AI based on a published press release, followed by a review from human editors.
