Sex and gender in healthcare equity Health equity

1 sex , gender in healthcare equity

1.1 sex , gender in medicine
1.2 health disparities in male population
1.3 health disparities in female population
1.4 cultural factors

sex , gender in healthcare equity

sex , gender in medicine

both gender , sex significant factors influence health. sex characterized female , male biological differences in regards gene expression, hormonal concentration, , anatomical characteristics. gender expression of behavior , lifestyle choices. both sex , gender inform each other, , important note differences between 2 genders influence disease manifestation , associated healthcare approaches. understanding how interaction of sex , gender contributes disparity in context of health allows providers ensure quality outcomes patients. interaction complicated difficulty of distinguishing between sex , gender given intertwined nature; sex modifies gender, , gender can modify sex, thereby impacting health.  sex , gender can both considered sources of health disparity; both contribute men , women’s susceptibility various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease , autoimmune disorders.

health disparities in male population

as sex , gender inextricably linked in day-to-day life, union apparent in medicine. gender , sex both components of health disparity in male population. in non-western regions, males tend have health advantage on women due gender discrimination, evidenced infanticide, marriage, , domestic abuse females. in regions of world, mortality rate higher adult men adult women; example, adult men suffer fatal illnesses more frequency females. leading causes of higher male death rate accidents, injuries, violence, , cardiovascular diseases. in number of countries, males face heightened risk of mortality result of behavior , greater propensity violence.

physicians tend offer invasive procedures male patients more female patients. furthermore, men more smoke women , experience smoking-related health complications later in life result; trend observed in regard other substances, such marijuana, in jamaica, rate of use 2–3 times more men women. lastly, men more have severe chronic conditions , lower life expectancy women in united states.

health disparities in female population

gender , sex components of health disparity in female population. 2012 world development report (wdr) noted women in developing nations experience greater mortality rates men in developing nations. additionally, women in developing countries have higher risk of maternal death in developed countries. highest risk of dying during childbirth 1 in 6 in afghanistan , sierra leone, compared 1 in 30,000 in sweden—a disparity greater neonatal or child mortality.

while women in united states tend live longer men, of lower socioeconomic status (ses) , therefore have more barriers accessing healthcare. being of lower ses tends increase societal pressures, can lead higher rates of depression , chronic stress and, in turn, negatively impact health. women more men suffer sexual or intimate-partner violence both in united states , worldwide.

women have better access healthcare in united states in many other places in world. in 1 population study conducted in harlem, new york, 86% of women reported having privatized or publicly assisted health insurance, while 74% of men reported having health insurance. trend representative of general population of united states.

in addition, women s pain tends treated less , ignored clinicians when compared treatment of men s pain complaints. historically, women have not been included in design or practice of clinical trials, has slowed understanding of women s reactions medications , created research gap. has led post-approval adverse events among women, resulting in several drugs being pulled market. however, clinical research industry aware of problem, , has made progress in correcting it.

cultural factors

health disparities due in part cultural factors involve practices based not on sex, gender status. example, in china, health disparities have distinguished medical treatment men , women due cultural phenomenon of preference male children. recently, gender-based disparities have decreased females have begun receive higher-quality care. additionally, girl’s chances of survival impacted presence of male sibling; while girls have same chance of survival boys if oldest girl, have higher probability of being aborted or dying young if have older sister.

in india, gender-based health inequities apparent in childhood. many families provide better nutrition boys in interest of maximizing future productivity given boys seen breadwinners. in addition, boys receive better care girls , hospitalized @ greater rate. magnitude of these disparities increases severity of poverty in given population.

additionally, cultural practice of female genital mutilation (fgm) known impact women s health, though difficult know worldwide extent of practice. while thought of sub-saharan african practice, may have roots in middle east well. estimated 3 million girls subjected fgm each year potentially suffer both immediate , lifelong negative effects. following fgm, girls commonly experience excessive bleeding , urine retention. long-term consequences include urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, pain during intercourse, , difficulties in childbirth include prolonged labor, vaginal tears, , excessive bleeding. women have undergone fgm have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) , herpes simplex virus 2 (hsv2) women have not.