gender and health

Question 1

what is sex?

Answer 1

-sex is defined biologically and physiologically ie female is 46XX and male 46XY
-physiology - testes , ovaries etc

Question 2

what is gender?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what are examples of gender?

Answer 3

-girl/woman
-boy/man
-transgender

Question 4

what are examples of sexual orientation?

Answer 4

-heterosexual
-homosexual
-straight
-lesbian
-gay
-bisexual

Question 5

what 4 levels does gender manifest at?

Answer 5

1. gender identity
2. gender roles
3. gender relations
4. institutionalised gender

Question 6

what is gender identity?

Answer 6

• the degree to which an individual sees himself or herself as feminine or masculine based on societies definitions of appropriate gender roles

Question 7

what are gender roles?

Answer 7

• socially constructed roles, behaviours etc that a given society considers appropriate for men and women

Question 8

what are gender relations?

Answer 8

• how differing genders relate, communicate and interact with one another

Question 9

what are the qualities of being female?

Answer 9

-gentleness
-empathy
-sensitivity
-fragile
-compassion
-precious

Question 10

what are the qualities traditionally associated with men?

Answer 10

-handsome
-muscled
-driven
-toughness
-courage
-independence

Question 11

what do gender roles in society determine?

Answer 11

-they determine how men and women should think / dress / speak and act
-they also assign social and behavioural norms

Question 12

what are the different determinants of health?

Answer 12

-income & social status
-education
-physical environment
-social support network
-genetics
-health services
-gender

Question 13

compare and contrast women and mens health in terms of illnesses

Answer 13

1. men have more life threatening chronic illness eg coronary heart disease, cancer, kidney disease etc
2. women have higher rates of chronic illness eg thyroid, arthritis, migraines etc

Question 14

what are the factors contributing to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health?

Answer 14

-risk
-symptoms and illness experience
-interventions & treatments
- service utilisation
-outcome

Question 15

Discuss risk as a factor that contributes to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health

Answer 15

-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

Question 16

describe symptoms and illness experience as a factor that contributes to gender & sex differences in mens and women’s health

Answer 16

-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

Question 17

describe interventions and treatments as a factor contributing to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health

Answer 17

-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

Question 18

discuss service utilisation as a factor contributing to gender and sex differences in mens and women’s health

Answer 18

-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

Question 19

what is the reason for the longevity gap between men and women (ie life expectancy difference)

Answer 19

• lifestyle - men are less likely to adopt healthy behaviours and more likely to engage in risky behaviours

Question 20

describe the gender inequalities in health experienced in Europe

Answer 20

• women may face challenges accessing reproductive healthcare services eg contraception and abortion
  -men might be less likely to access healthcare related to mental health