gender and health Flashcards
what is sex?
-sex is defined biologically and physiologically ie female is 46XX and male 46XY
-physiology - testes , ovaries etc
what is gender?
Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other
what are examples of gender?
-girl/woman
-boy/man
-transgender
what are examples of sexual orientation?
-heterosexual
-homosexual
-straight
-lesbian
-gay
-bisexual
what 4 levels does gender manifest at?
- gender identity
- gender roles
- gender relations
- institutionalised gender
what is gender identity?
- the degree to which an individual sees himself or herself as feminine or masculine based on societies definitions of appropriate gender roles
what are gender roles?
- socially constructed roles, behaviours etc that a given society considers appropriate for men and women
what are gender relations?
- how differing genders relate, communicate and interact with one another
what are the qualities of being female?
-gentleness
-empathy
-sensitivity
-fragile
-compassion
-precious
what are the qualities traditionally associated with men?
-handsome
-muscled
-driven
-toughness
-courage
-independence
what do gender roles in society determine?
-they determine how men and women should think / dress / speak and act
-they also assign social and behavioural norms
what are the different determinants of health?
-income & social status
-education
-physical environment
-social support network
-genetics
-health services
-gender
compare and contrast women and mens health in terms of illnesses
- men have more life threatening chronic illness eg coronary heart disease, cancer, kidney disease etc
- women have higher rates of chronic illness eg thyroid, arthritis, migraines etc
what are the factors contributing to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health?
-risk
-symptoms and illness experience
-interventions & treatments
- service utilisation
-outcome
Discuss risk as a factor that contributes to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health
-risk of both biological and social determinants
-men and women differ in their exposure to these risks
-gender relations within the workplace, household, community affect risks for women and men
describe symptoms and illness experience as a factor that contributes to gender & sex differences in mens and women’s health
-symptoms may differ in type and severity
-illnesses may progress differently
-mens and women’s experiences of illness may be perceived differently by healthcare practitioners
describe interventions and treatments as a factor contributing to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health
-HCPs differ in response to men and women’s illness
-men & women are often not equally likely to be targeted for prevention or to receive treatment
-interventions may not be gender sensitive or appropriate based on the different experiences of men or women
discuss service utilisation as a factor contributing to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health
-women are more likely to seek primary care
-men are more likely to seek care at a later stage of illness
-men and women may need different requirements for supports and services
what is the reason for the longevity gap between men and women (ie life expectancy difference)
- lifestyle - men are less likely to adopt healthy behaviours and more likely to engage in risky behaviours
describe the gender inequalities in health experienced in Europe
- women may face challenges accessing reproductive healthcare services eg contraception and abortion
-men might be less likely to access healthcare related to mental health
