Rebel Bodies Hardcover – 28 February 2023

I am loving this book! It’s so well researched, a lot of care has been taken to represent, not only the gender health gap and chronic illness but the intersection that plays into disability, race, class etc etc. I, myself have MECFS and Sarah has done a great job of explaining it in a way that does us and our condition justice!

Sarah Graham writes about the Gender health gap in a compassionate, inclusive & thought provoking way, using real people’s experiences backed up by research, studies and statistics. She helps us understand our own biases as patients and doctors. A great read for all.

"As a woman, pandering to male egos is something we learn to do habitually from a young age." p.203. Sexist drivel. The Book is full of it. Page after page of barely coherent, foam-spitting rage. One ridiculous unsupported assertion after another.I doubt if reading my review will change anyone's mind about buying this book, but here are some excerpts so at least you know that I have bothered to read it. If this is the type of stuff you like, then you're welcome to it.Women, and other marginalise groups "are all fighting a common enemy" (p.14) - who might that be?"Medical misogyny is ingrained in our training as doctors." p. 44"The persistent and deep-rooted belief that women and minorities can't be trusted to accurately self-report their experiences..." p.68Women and Minority Groups suffer more emotional distress. p. 91Women suffer more mental health problems because of bias, minority stress, socioeconomic factors, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism. Men on the other hand suffer from mental health problems because of "toxic masculinity." (pp. 92-93)."The NHS needs a huge shake-up because the treatment of women with chronic infections is diabolical."p. 127"The tendrils of a patriarchy.." p.165".. how the mothers of so many adult men allow their sons to leave home without basic life skills like cooking and cleaning." p.199. Nothing sexist here. The goes on , "... fathers, who in the vast majority of cases get off scot-free for their contributions to parenting.""As we know, virtually all health issues that primarily affect women are poorly understood and under-prioritised" p. 216"There's a big problem with misogyny within healthcare. A woman is only seen as fit for purpose when she's reproducing..."Nursing - an overwhelmingly female profession - which is to say one that is notoriously underpaid and undervalued. p 240."A centuries old problem - like medical misogyny" p. 252.

Such an important and well-written book. It's also so intersectional and so inclusive. Add this to your must read pile.

Loved this book - easy to read but at the same time - because I, like many other women, am a victim of gaslighting and misogeny - uncomfortable. It goes hand in hand with another brilliant book about the same subject by Eleanor Cleghorn , Unwell Women, but this one is very much focussed on the here and now, in the UK.