Both articles were uplifting in showing the efforts that have been made, even though initiated only recently, towards understanding and improving diagnosis and treatment for women. It was surprising to learn that autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in women, with some diseases, like Sjogren’s syndrome, SLE, autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and well as Graves’ disease) and scleroderma, occuring > 80% in women. In regards to the physiological aspects described, I thought it was interesting that there were post-partum flares of disease activity. Does this indicate that women's bodies were not as adequately prepared after pregnancy as they were during the period (perhaps because they used much of their resources to supply the proper nutrients and defenses for the fetus)?
The NYT article illuminated gender differences in heart disease, pointing out that tests are less likely to pick up signs of heart damage in women (which has huge implications for the way diagnoses should be made). The fact that many women (some unknowingly) suffer from microvascular disease pushes further for more research and focus in this area.