Education
Guest Article: Arthritis and the gender bias – why women face the heat more
Mumbai: Arthritis isn’t just a single disease; it’s a term that covers over 100 different conditions affecting joints and their surrounding tissues. It’s a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. While it affects people of all ages, genders, and races, studies and my experience indicate a startling gender disparity in its prevalence and severity.
What stands out in my years of practice is that arthritis disproportionately affects women more than men. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reality that many of my female patients live with every day. They often experience more severe symptoms, a higher degree of joint deterioration, and even a slower response to treatments.
Why are women more affected with arthritis?
Women are more commonly affected by arthritis than men, and several factors contribute to this disparity:
a Hormonal Differences: Estrogen, a female hormone, plays a significant role in the development and severity of arthritis. Post-menopausal women, who have lower estrogen levels, are particularly susceptible to developing arthritis.
b Genetic Factors: Certain genetic factors that predispose individuals to autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis) are more common in women. This genetic predisposition can result in a higher incidence of arthritis among women.
c Biomechanical Variations: Women have wider hips and a different knee alignment than men, which can impact the way joints are used and potentially lead to increased wear and tear. This biomechanical difference can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees.
d Immune System Differences: Women’s immune systems function differently from men’s, partly due to hormonal influences. This difference can make women more susceptible to autoimmune conditions, including certain types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.
e Increased Longevity: Statistically, women live longer than men. Since age is a significant risk factor for many types of arthritis, the longer life expectancy in women could contribute to a higher incidence of arthritis.
f Physical Activity Levels: Women may engage in different types and levels of physical activity compared to men, which can affect joint health and the risk of arthritis.
Obesity: Women have higher rates of obesity compared to men, and obesity is a known risk factor for arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis.
Lifestyle changes and medical treatments to deal with arthritis in women
lifestyle changes and treatments for arthritis, particularly in women, play a crucial role in managing the condition. Here’s an overview:
Lifestyle changes
1. Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity strengthens muscles around joints, improves flexibility, and can reduce pain. Activities like walking, swimming, or yoga are gentle on the joints.
2. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints, like hips and knees. Losing weight can relieve this pressure and improve symptoms.
3. Balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, are particularly beneficial.
4. Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of certain types of arthritis and can exacerbate symptoms. Quitting smoking can improve overall health and joint health.
5. Manage stress: Chronic stress can aggravate arthritis symptoms. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help manage stress levels.
6. Adequate rest: Balancing activity with rest is important. Good sleep helps in the healing and repair of joint tissues.
Medical Treatments
1. Medications:
a Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can alleviate pain.
b Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These reduce both pain and inflammation. Available over-the-counter or by prescription.
c Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Used for rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs slow the progression of the disease.
d Biologic response modifiers: Typically used in conjunction with DMARDs, these target parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation and damage joints.
2. Physical therapy: A physical therapist can develop an exercise regimen to keep joints flexible and strengthen the muscles around the joints.
3. Joint assistive aids: Braces, shoe inserts, or other devices can help support the joints and reduce strain.
4. Surgery: In severe cases, joint repair, joint replacement, or joint fusion surgeries might be necessary.
5. Alternative therapies: Acupuncture, tai chi, and massage therapy might provide additional relief for some women.
As we continue to grapple with the complexities of arthritis, particularly in women, our approach must be multifaceted. It requires collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, patients, and society at large. My hope is that through increased awareness, targeted research, and personalised care, we can alleviate the burden of arthritis, especially for the women who disproportionately suffer from it.
This article has been authored by MBBS, D ortho, DNB orthopedic surgery, fellowship in joint replacement, fellowship in revision joint replacement (Germany); consultant Orthopaedic, arthroscopy and joint replacement surgeon Dr Syed Imran.
Education
Govt to set up creator labs in 15,000 schools to boost AVGC sector
Budget boost and WAVES initiatives aim to scale India’s creator economy
NEW DELHI: The government is doubling down on India’s so-called orange economy, rolling out an ambitious plan to expand content creation infrastructure and skill development across the country.
At the heart of the push is a proposal to set up AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges, backed by an allocation of Rs 250 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27. The move is aimed at nurturing talent early and building a pipeline for the fast-growing animation, visual effects, gaming and comics sector.
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies has been designated as the nodal agency to steer this rollout. Operating from the campus of National Film Development Corporation in Mumbai, the institute has already launched 18 courses, with over 130 students enrolled and a trainer network beginning to take shape.
The broader ecosystem push is rooted in recommendations by the AVGC Promotion Task Force, which estimates that the sector could require around two million skilled professionals by 2030. The government is now working to align training, infrastructure and policy to meet that demand.
Flagship platforms such as WAVES 2025 are playing a central role in this strategy. The summit brought together creators, investors and global industry leaders, while initiatives like the WaveX Startup Accelerator Programme are helping startups scale through mentorship, funding access and international exposure.
The Create in India Challenge has also emerged as a key talent pipeline. Its first edition saw 33 challenges and participation from over one lakh creators, including many from smaller cities, signalling a democratisation of content creation across India.
Sharing details in Parliament, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state L Murugan outlined the government’s multi-pronged approach in response to queries raised by Kriti Devi Debbarman and Eatala Rajender.
With policy, funding and platforms now aligning, India’s creator economy is getting a structured push. The message is clear. From classrooms to global screens, the next wave of storytellers is being built at scale.
