Gender and Health

Gender and Health - Sex, Lies & Stereotypes

• Sex: Biological (chromosomes, anatomy, hormones).
• Gender: Socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions, identities.
• Gender as a Social Determinant of Health (SDH):
  • Influences health behaviors, access to care, health outcomes.
  • Shapes exposure to risks (e.g., occupational, violence).
• Gender Stereotypes: Oversimplified beliefs about attributes of individuals based on gender.
• Gender Bias in Healthcare: Differential treatment leading to health disparities.

⭐ Gender inequality is a significant driver of health inequities globally, impacting women, men, and gender minorities differently across various health conditions and access to services.

Gender and Health - His vs. Hers Gaps

• Life Expectancy: Women generally live longer than men globally.
• Morbidity: Women report higher rates of non-fatal chronic illnesses & disability.
  • Men experience higher rates of fatal chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, unintentional injuries) at younger ages.
• Mental Health:
  • Women: Higher prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders.
  • Men: Higher rates of substance abuse, suicide completion.
• Access to Care: Varies; women may face more barriers in some societies, men may underutilize preventive services.
• Occupational Hazards: Differ by gender-segregated occupations.

⭐ Globally, women live longer than men, but experience more years with disability (Disability-Adjusted Life Years - DALYs often show different patterns by cause for men vs. women).

Gender and Health - Violence & Victims

• Violence Against Women (VAW) is a major public health problem & human rights violation.
• Forms: Physical, sexual, psychological, economic abuse; often by intimate partners.
• Health sequelae: Injuries, chronic pain, depression, PTSD, STIs/HIV, unintended pregnancies, substance abuse, ↑morbidity/mortality.
• Vulnerable: Women, girls, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled, elderly.
• Key Legislation: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
  • Defines domestic violence comprehensively.
  • Provides for protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief, custody orders.

⭐ National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5): 32% of ever-married women aged 18-49 years have experienced spousal physical or sexual violence; 6% experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

• Prevention: Multi-sectoral approach; empower women, engage men, change social norms, support services for survivors (e.g., One Stop Centres).

Gender and Health - Care Access Hurdles

• Socio-cultural factors: Restricted mobility, lack of decision-making power, preference for male children.
• Economic barriers: Lower female literacy & employment, financial dependence, cost of care.
• Systemic issues: Lack of female healthcare providers, inadequate infrastructure (e.g., toilets, privacy), gender-insensitive services.
• Geographical access: Distance to facilities, poor transport, safety concerns during travel.
• Psychological factors: Fear of stigma, lack of awareness of entitlements, low self-worth.

⭐ Women often delay seeking care due to household responsibilities and lack of permission from family heads, leading to poorer health outcomes, especially in rural India (NFHS data).

Gender and Health - Policy & Progress

• National Health Policy (NHP) 2017: Prioritizes health equity, addressing gender-based violence (GBV).
• Maternal Health: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) ↑institutional deliveries, ↓MMR.
• Legal Framework: PCPNDT Act 1994 combats sex selection, aims to improve Child Sex Ratio (CSR).
• Adolescent Girls: Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) for nutrition & empowerment.
• Gender Budgeting: Allocating resources for women-specific health programs.

⭐ Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) launched in 2015 to address declining CSR & promote girl child education.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Gender, a social construct, impacts health, distinct from biological sex.
• Gender inequality is a key determinant of health disparities, especially affecting women.
• High Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and anemia prevalence are critical for Indian women.
• Sex-selective abortions and female infanticide create adverse sex ratios.
• Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has severe physical & mental health consequences.
• Women face significant barriers accessing healthcare.
• Programs like JSSK (Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram) target maternal & child health.