{"id":63696,"date":"2022-09-23T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=63696"},"modified":"2023-06-14T10:28:03","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T09:28:03","slug":"gender-health-inequalities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/gender-health-inequalities\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Gender Health Inequalities?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are a number of inequalities throughout the health and social care sector that have an impact on the health of many. Gender is one such inequality, with research showing a significant gender health gap in the UK, leading to poorer health outcomes for women.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will explain the meaning of gender inequalities, why the relationship between health and gender is so important, how gender affects healthcare, and what the women\u2019s health strategy is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are Gender Health Inequalities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To begin answering this question, it is important to understand that there are differences between the terms sex and gender. The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the term gender as referring to \u201csocially constructed characteristics of women and men \u2013 such as norms, roles and relations of and between groups of women and men\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex on the other hand is described as being \u201cmainly associated with physical and physiological features including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone level and function, and reproductive and sexual anatomy.\u201d There are connections between both sex and gender and both can lead to inequalities in healthcare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender health inequality means having unequal access or opportunity to access  healthcare services and treatment due to your sex or gender, leading to poorer health outcomes. There are many other factors that can make someone more susceptible to inequalities in healthcare. For more  information on this topic, take a look at our article – What are inequalities in health and social care?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WHO states that inequalities in healthcare disproportionately affect more women and girls than men and boys. Equality and diversity is a key part of being able to deliver high-quality, person-centred care and support to all throughout the sector. Yet health services within the UK lack vital knowledge and services to equally support the needs of both men and women. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Want to Learn More?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For further insights into the values that under-pin patient care, check out our Equality and Diversity<\/a> and Person-Centred Care<\/a> training courses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Understanding why such inequalities exist requires a much wider perspective on the gender inequalities that exist in many areas of life. The history of learning and power, particularly in medicine was very much focussed on men and heavily influenced by their opinions, perspectives and beliefs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This amongst many other factors has led to a lack of knowledge and understanding, not only around health concerns that affect only women, but also the different ways men and women can be affected by the same condition. Knowing such inequality exists makes it all the more important to understand the relationship between sex, gender and health. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Why is the Relationship Between Gender and Health Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Understanding how an individual\u2019s health can be affected based on their sex or gender is incredibly important in being able to ensure appropriate treatment, services and education are available to support them towards a positive outcome. Both of which can have a significant impact on a person\u2019s risks and susceptibility and to illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the relationship between gender and health may also interlink with social inequality. Many women and girls are given less autonomy over their bodies, have less decision making power and face greater discriminatory attitudes from healthcare providers, often making it harder for them to access the services and treatment they need, or receiving an accurate or timely diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender can also increase a person’s exposure to instances of domestic violence, emergency situations, work injuries, cigarette and alcohol intake and misuse, and certain risk taking behaviours. These are just a few examples, but understanding gender norms, socialisation and societal roles can create a better understanding of the links between gender and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The relationship between sex and health affects a person\u2019s risk of disease, disease progression, the treatments given and the overall health outcome. For example, a particular enzyme found in men that binds to the SARS-COV2 virus (COVID-19) may be responsible for more severe outcomes and hospitalisations for men with the virus than women. <\/p>\n\n\n

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What are the Quality of Care Differences Between Men and Women?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

How a person views the quality of care that they have received can be subjective and will depend on their individual circumstances and perspective. However, quality of care should be based on core values, including equality and diversity<\/a>, dignity<\/a>, respect and compassion in care<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender bias means having a preference of one gender over the other. It can be widespread in the health and social care sector and have a negative effect on health outcomes and systemic practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n