Gender and Health Flashcards
Describe the pattern of smoking behaviour in women
Women from disadvantaged or low socio-economic groups are more likely to smoke
Smoking is associated with marital, personal and social stress. Can be used as a coping strategy
Women with children are more likely to be smokers and heavier smokers than those without children
Those with heavy caring burdens tend to be heavier smokers
Define sex and gender
Sex: characteristics between males and females that are biologically determined Gender: refers to the social and cultural meanings assigned to being male and female
Biological pattern of CHD in men and women
Women have lower Neuro-endocrine and cv reactivity to stressors Men have life-long sensitivity to certain damaging metabolites Oestrogen protects women prior to the menopause Tendency among men to accumulate fat around the abdomen (central obesity) women accumulate fat around the hips and thighs (peripheral obesity)
Gendered patterns of cigarettes and alcohol use
Men historically smoke more cigarettes than women Men twice as likely to exceed daily limits for alcohol than women Men more likely to binge drink Estimated twice as many men have alcohol use disorder Strong association between heavy drinking, depression and suicide in men
Gendered patterns of obesity
More men are overweight than women in all age groups Similar proportions of men and women are obese Obesity rates are higher among older age groups for both men and women Peak of obesity in women occurs 10 years later than men.
Gendered patterns of accidental death
2% of all deaths accidental Younger men (16-34) particularly at risk, involved in car crashes (speed and alcohol involved) Rates of accidental death in men exceed those in women at all ages (except towards the end of life)
Gender patterns of suicide and self harm
Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women
Deliberate self harm 3-4 times more common in women
Men tend to use more violent, lethal methods (hanging, strangulation, suffocation) compared to women (overdose)
Differences in gender access to healthcare
Women are more likely to consult their GP than men Men are more willing to use A+E services as an alternative to GPs Well-person checks in GP surgeries are less well attended by men than women
List four reasons for the patterns of male-related health behabiour
Men perceive health as primarily the responsibility of women
Men perceive themselves to be less vulnerable or susceptible to illness
Men tend to normalize their symptoms and fear wasting the doctor’s time
Men are less likely to accept emotional pain as valid
