Gender Differences In Health

Sarah P. Wamala & Gunnar Agren

Differences between men and women in relation to their social lives, activities, roles, behaviors, and longevity have existed for centuries. Until recently, these differences have almost been taken for granted and largely ignored. Increased research concerning health inequalities and inequities based on socioeconomic position seems to have contributed to the growing interest in gender inequities in health. It has thus become inevitable to address health inequalities and inequities based on gender, as it is a major component of social construct besides socioeconomic position and race or ethnicity. Even the World Bank has acknowledged that economic development in the lowdeveloped economies cannot be enhanced without addressing issues of gender equity. This entry highlights gender inequity in health, by defining and analyzing differentials in men and women not only in relation to morbidity, mortality, and health care access and utilization but also the determinants of gender disparities in health that operate at ...

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