Maya Dusenbery

Maya Dusenbery is a journalist and author known for her work on gender bias in medicine and women's health issues. Her most prominent book is "Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick" (2018). Dusenbery served as executive editor of Feministing, a major feminist blog, and has written for publications including The Atlantic, Pacific Standard, Cosmopolitan, and Teen Vogue. Her writing frequently focuses on healthcare inequities, chronic illness, and feminist issues. She has helped bring attention to the "gender pain gap" and systemic problems women face in getting proper medical diagnosis and treatment. The research for her book "Doing Harm" was partially informed by her own experience being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Dusenbery holds a degree from Carleton College and currently works as editorial director of health and science at News Deeply. She regularly speaks at universities and medical institutions about gender bias in healthcare.

Readers appreciate Dusenbery's thorough research and clear presentation of gender bias in healthcare through concrete examples and data. Many cite "Doing Harm" as eye-opening documentation of women's medical experiences. Multiple reviews mention the book validated their own healthcare struggles. What readers liked: - Balance of personal stories with scientific evidence - Accessible writing style for complex medical topics - Comprehensive citation of studies and research - Practical advice for advocating for better care What readers disliked: - Some found sections repetitive - A few wanted more solutions proposed - Some medical professionals felt the critique was too harsh Ratings: Goodreads: 4.41/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (960+ ratings) "This book made me feel seen after years of dismissive doctors," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "Should be required reading for medical students." Several readers mentioned marking numerous passages for future reference when dealing with healthcare providers.

Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick (2018) An investigation into gender bias in medicine, examining how the medical system systematically overlooks and misdiagnoses women's health issues.

Open Earth (2018) A graphic novel set in a space colony that explores themes of relationships and sexuality in a post-Earth society.

Caroline Criado Perez documents gender data bias and its impacts on women's health and safety in "Invisible Women." Her research-based approach parallels Dusenbery's work on gender disparities in healthcare.

Jennifer Block investigates the American maternity care system and medical establishment's treatment of women in "Everything Below the Waist." She examines systemic issues in women's healthcare through interviews and historical analysis.

Abby Norman explores the intersection of women's health, chronic illness, and medical bias in "Ask Me About My Uterus." She combines personal narrative with medical research to expose diagnostic delays women face.

Elinor Cleghorn traces the history of medicine's mistreatment of women in "Unwell Women." She presents historical cases and research showing how medical theories have dismissed women's symptoms across centuries.

Michele Goodwin analyzes how laws and medical policies impact women's bodies in "Policing the Womb." She examines reproductive rights and healthcare access through a legal and policy framework.