Definitions by Catmily

medical darwinism

Medical darwinism (n.) — A state of inequality where access to healthcare is predominantly decided by one's means to pay for treatment, as opposed to having a fair and proportionate system. Medical darwinism is present when barriers to healthcare such as appointment costs, insurance costs, and waiting lists are in place, leading to those with the deepest pockets to have better outcomes in life.

'America's healthcare system is pure medical darwinism, but underfunded single-payer systems which co-exist with private healthcare can lead to similar problems as well.'

medical darwinism by Catmily January 29, 2026

medical misogyny

Medical misogyny (n.) — The unconscious, or conscious prejudice that women receive when receiving treatment in healthcare settings such as hospitals, family doctors, or outpatient clinics. Often minimised, and a common refrain is to say it doesn't exist in the 21st century, which is patently false simply by asking any woman her experiences.

The experiences of many women in healthcare can be summarised through the lens of medical misogyny.

medical misogyny by Catmily January 28, 2026