I am from Nigeria- a developing country, here the term ''Gender'' is viewed as social constructs, in other words behaviors, roles, expectations, and activities in a society. A simple approach to determine how Gender affects public health is to conduct ''Gender Analysis''. In my country Gender is impacted upon by socio-demographic (e.g. early child-bearing Age), socio-cultural (e.g. early & forceful marriages,  female genital mutilation, non-negotiation for sex) and socio-economic factors- (e.g. income, education, employment). You can consider Gender Analysis of the ''Human Resource for Health Work Force'' in the the Primary health care system of a developing country, simply determine the proportion of males and females employed in select Primary health facility(s) and comparing result to acceptable global standards by WHO. For example, in my country, evidence from recent studies suggest that we have high number of females in preservice education professions like nurses and midwifery compared to the males who feel that nurses and midwifery professions are just for females. Gender Analysis can show the effect of gender on public health.

Dear colleague based on our studies and the research of other groups,  the most important factors regarding gender comprise the acess to education and income. In many developing and poor countries female acess to education is lower than that found for males, and women receive lower salaries than men for the same job posts.The result of this inequality affect women's health  in an unfavourable manner.   However,  in Brazil women have higher educational degree but perceive lower salaries for the same Jobs compared to the men. As a result of this educational disparity Brazilian  women take  care of own health better than men. 

Article Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus: Does Gender Make a Difference?

Hi,

Gender in the Public Health context would depend on various factors. Gender equity and equality would depend on countries development, the culture, and most importantly female literacy. 

Concerning public health and gender issues, this mostly affects maternal and child health issues where delays could occur due to delay in decision making. Also it would certainly affect other health outcomes too. Improving female literacy would be one of the greatest investment a country could do to overcome this barrier. 

Equity as well as equality are both important concepts in gender and public health issues.

Hope this would help you.

I am from Nigeria- a developing country, here the term ''Gender'' is viewed as social constructs, in other words behaviors, roles, expectations, and activities in a society. A simple approach to determine how Gender affects public health is to conduct ''Gender Analysis''. In my country Gender is impacted upon by socio-demographic (e.g. early child-bearing Age), socio-cultural (e.g. early & forceful marriages,  female genital mutilation, non-negotiation for sex) and socio-economic factors- (e.g. income, education, employment). You can consider Gender Analysis of the ''Human Resource for Health Work Force'' in the the Primary health care system of a developing country, simply determine the proportion of males and females employed in select Primary health facility(s) and comparing result to acceptable global standards by WHO. For example, in my country, evidence from recent studies suggest that we have high number of females in preservice education professions like nurses and midwifery compared to the males who feel that nurses and midwifery professions are just for females. Gender Analysis can show the effect of gender on public health.

Poverty and ill health affect both men and women. However, the problems get compounded for women for many reasons like lack of resources, decision-making,etc. While men have higher rates of disease morbidity for major diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and others; a large proportion of women die due to the fact that they are brought for diagnosis and treatment at severe or last stages. The differences between female and male prevalence and incidence rates are difficult to measure since cases in women are more likely to be undetected especially for diseases like leprosy. Social insurance schemes usually implicitly exclude many women who work at home or in the informal sector. Despite expression of concern by policy makers/gender specialists, the situation of women is not accurately reflected in routinely collected health

statistics.

The distinct roles and relations of men and women in a given culture, dictated by that culture’s gender norms and values, give rise to gender differences. Gender norms, roles and relations also give rise to gender inequalities – that is, differences between men and women that systematically value one group often to the detriment of the other. The fact that, throughout the world, women on average have lower cash incomes than men is an example of gender inequality. Both gender differences and gender inequalities can give rise to inequities between men and women in health status and access to health care.

 For example:

• a woman cannot receive needed health care because norms in her community prevent her from travelling alone to a clinic;

• an adolescent boy dies in an accident because of trying to live up to his peers’ expectations that young men should be “bold” risk-takers, including on the road.Sexual and reproductive health concerns - -Inadequate services -FGM (female genital mutilation)- -Women and HIV/AIDS

• UN Population Fund estimates that 120 million women desire contraceptives but lack access to them. There are many negative consequences of poor access to

sexual health services:

– High rates of sexually transmitted infections

– Unintended pregnancies/inadequate birth spacing

– Increased maternal morbidity and mortality

Inequity based on gender exists to a varying extent in all societies and varies over time and  across social and ethnic groups. Within every community, nationality and class, the burden of hardship often falls disproportionately on women.

regards

Rathish

Public health is very broad and you should narrow it to specific key area(s).

I'm not sure you will have all the necessary skills both scientific and technical to answer this big question.

I will be glad o assist should you need further insights.

Thanks

is good

Hi,

A little more context within public health would help narrow down the many factors that bear impact on, as one of the researchers here pointed out, the social phenomenon of gender. What specific aspect of public health are you looking at? Preventive behaviours for a particular condition/disease? Males, females, others? The question that you posed here is a little too general to suggest anything specific. But consider looking at some behavioural models (the Andersen is one) and the determinants of health theories and models to begin thinking of the many factors affecting gender and public health to delineate those few that play role in your specific context.

Enjoy the process!

Gender being the cultural associated roles does affect health seeking behavior. In some areas it is expected that men should endure any pain. this leads to late health seeking. Gender also affects family and community health resources allocation. In the preventive front because of cultural beliefs on gender women at at a risk in spread of sexually transmitted infections. The management of public health is affected by gender inequalities where like in Kenya, the society is yet to fully accept that women can lead well

Hi - I have just seen your interesting question and hope I may be able to help; although please bear in mind that my study is based on England/UK data and evidence. Having recently completed a piece of work on Gender differences in health and wellbeing (shortly to be published on Researchgate) there are some serious enduring inequities in outcomes the reasons for which are complex and poorly understood. The World Health Organization says:

"Gender equality in health means that men and women across the life course and in all their diversity, have the same opportunities to realize their full rights and potential to be healthy…Achieving gender equality in health often requires specific measures to mitigate barriers" (WHO, 2015a).

For example, All causes mortality is higher in men and evidence suggests that this may be due to variance in help-seeking behavior (in England women are 66% more likely to attend their GP surgery). Two main reasons for this reticence may be: (I) Practical difficulties i.e. restricted opening hours; (ii) Personal issues, for example men may be more embarrassed to discuss health symptoms, particularly with female reception staff. Also the social norm expects men to be tough and uncomplaining.

Consequent late diagnosis and treatment leads to higher risk of mortality from a range of conditions, particularly cancer.

Solutions might include male reception staff and longer surgery opening hours. Just one example of the issues and possible solutions in this fascinating area of public health research. I hope this helps and please keep an eye out for my report being published in due course ("Gender Differences in Health and Wellbeing").

Hi Vimbai, further to my answer on June 15th my draft report on "Gender Differences in Public Health" is now published on Researchgate if you would like to read it. It should help with your query about gender and public health. Any comments, queries or suggestions are welcome from all. Many thanks.

Working Paper Gender Differences in Health and Wellbeing (Draft)