Beyond Preference: How Religious Values Shape Muslim Women’s Access to Healthcare

Abstract

The intersection of cultural, religious, and systemic factors influences healthcare access and decisions for Muslim women. Modesty concerns and preferences for gender-concordant care often leads to delays or avoidance of care. Beyond patient preferences, underrepresentation of women in the medical field, gender-based discrimination, and institutional barriers hinder equitable care, leaving the need for female physicians unmet. It is crucial to implement a multifaceted approach that includes increasing Muslim female representation in the medical field, integrating cultural and religious competence into medical training, and fostering inclusive healthcare environments. Key institutional changes include providing female mentors, offering opportunities for women in leadership roles, and enacting policies such as equitable parental leave, flexible scheduling, and guaranteed childcare. Enhanced cultural awareness training, utilizing tools such as concept mapping in medical schools, can also help foster a more inclusive environment. These steps are critical for ensuring that Muslim women receive respectful, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive care, while also serving as a model for culturally competent care for other underrepresented groups. Further research on Muslim women’s health and partnerships with religious leaders and the Muslim community are also recommended to better inform policymakers, public health leaders, and institutions, thereby improving care for this population and benefiting the overall healthcare system.