Lecture `18 on (gender and health) Flashcards
most common jobs for men
trades and transport
most common jobs for women
sales and service
average male income vs. average female income
$48,100 vs. $38,100
Gender
socially-constructed roles, behaviours, expressions, and identities
Sex
biological attributes of human and animals, including physical features, chromosomes, gene expression, hormones and anatomy
differences we see in health trends by gender
men are more likely to:
- smoke, drink and use substances, be obese
- work in high risk jobs
- be victims of crime or war, violence
- participate in high risk activities
- heart disease
women report lower self perceived health than men, especially when young –> difference disappears when income, employment, and unpaid family work are controlled for.
morbidity paradox
women get sicker and sport poorer health but men die younger
Hypothesis for gender based differences in health
- gender-sex explanation
- materialistic explanation
- differential exposure hypothesis
- differential vulnerability hypothesis
Gender Sex Explanation
our different biological profiles and socially determined roles predispose us to certain risk factors (ex. types of work and hobbies and social roles we do influence the types of injuries and illnesses we experience, anatomical and physiological differences such as hormones and genes influence our predisposition to illness and physical function)
materialistic explanation
- gender differences historically reflect differences in status and power
- increase in income, full time work, having a spouse/partner, and supportive social network are stronger predictors of women’s health than men’s
- Women: work part time, get paid less per hour, do a majority of unpaid labour, are seen less in leadership/power positions… despite having higher graduation rates
- different genders occupy different positions in the social hierarchy
differential exposure hypothesis
says that women’s poorer health is partly due to:
-different genders are exposed to different health risks based on: 1) different access, on average, to material and social conditions of life that fosters health 2) differential exposure to stressful life events (single parenting, lower socioeconomic status)
differential vulnerability hypothesis
- genders experience social structures, personal health behaviours, and psychosocial correlates of health differently
- there are gendered differences across determinants of health and health behaviours that make our health outcomes vary by gender
- common correlates of health: chronic daily stress, low self-esteem, health behaviour and life style choices, control and autonomy
- **working full time AND occupational class are the most important determinant
3 groups least likely to feel like they have access to health care they need
- women
- low income
- people with poor health
social exclusion
a process of excluding members of a group from normal social interactions and social structures, as well as from sharing of benefits
-unequal power relationships and marginalization across ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, and POLITICAL spheres
themes about vulnerability and health (trans)
- absence of safe environments
- lack of access to health services
- lack of mental health resources
- lack of continuity in care (families and service)
- concerns about violence upon disclosure
- lack of housing and financial support
policy change (trans)
- understanding the weight gender issues can have on health
- including gender and transgender in health research
- educating students in health related faculties about gender
- acknowledging gender and GLTB across systems and institutions as part of mainstream society
- creating policies, practices, and role modelling inclusion
what happens when you get older
- brain cells degenerage, decreasing ‘explicit’ memory, rate of learning and reaction time
- heart muscles weaken
- muscular strength declines
- increased rates of chronic conditions
- lungs become stiffer, weaker, and less effective
- strength of kidney and immune system decline
- senses decline
challenges in health care when population ages
- medication use: availability and increased risk of drug reactions
- provision of palliative care
- increased numbers living in residential care status
- mental health issues
- long term care
what is the fastest growing population
BC seniors
relationship between childhood and adult SES and physical and cognitive performance
- those at the top of the childhood SES performed better than those at the bottom
- childhood cognitive ability and educational attainment explained a considerable amount of the childhood SES gradient across most physical and cognitive outcomes
what did 90+ research study at “leisure world’ discover
- smoking and exercise were key in physical health
- reading and going to church/religious community significantly reduced dementia
social capital
community and neighbourhood characteristics, years of residence, religious participation, trust, fear, discrimination
social support
marital status, perceived social support
social isolation
urban vs rural; transportation, functional mobility status
relationship between support and capital and nutrition
less support and capital = poorer nutritional benefits
what is good about denmark
- denmark has 80,000 leisure clubs and associations. the average citizen is a member of 2.8 clubs
- the best pension system in the world (about $1200/month)
is leg power associated with improved cognitive aging over 10 years?
protective relationship was found between muscle fitness (leg power) subsequent total grey matter.
–> conclusion: leg power predicts both cognitive ageing and global brain structure. Interventions targeted to improve leg power may help reach a universal goal of healthy cognitive ageing
relationship between palliative care and SES
palliative care differs by SES (higher SES more palliative care)
