Disparities of Healthcare for Women in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the United States

This narrative review synthesizes the literature on sex- and gender-based disparities in rehabilitation medicine, highlighting inequities in access, treatment, and outcomes for women across the major rehabilitation domains of stroke, cardiac, traumatic brain injury, cancer, spinal cord injury, pain, rheumatic, musculoskeletal, and long COVID rehabilitation. Women experience lower referral and enrollment rates, delayed diagnoses, and worse functional outcomes throughout rehabilitation domains. Biological, psychosocial, and systemic factors—combined with underrepresentation in clinical research—contribute to inequities in evidence-based care. Intersectional identities further compound disparities in care. Emerging studies support tailored, multidisciplinary, and hybrid models to improve accessibility for women. Persistent inequities in rehabilitation medicine for women arise from barriers at the system, provider, and patient levels. Integrating sex- and gender-specific approaches into clinical practice, research design, education, and policy is essential to achieve equitable rehabilitation care. Expanding women’s representation in research and addressing structural barriers will advance functional outcomes and health equity.