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10: Women’s Health Equity

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DOI:

10.1891/9780826177247.0010

Authors

  • Gilbert, Lauren R.
  • Nguyễn, Jennifer L.
  • Scroggins, Mary (Dicey) Jackson

Abstract

Sex is often viewed as a piece of demographic data used as a control variable in analysis. However, when discussing women’s health, a much deeper and more nuanced approach is required. For women, both sex and gender work in conjunction to impact their health. This chapter covers several areas of health disparities: differences between men and women; differences between groups of women; and the health outcomes of different groups of women. It focuses on the gendered experiences of health and ways to address and alleviate some of these differences. The chapter touches upon the many broad and complex issues within women’s health. Aggregately, data show women to live longer but women suffer from higher morbidity rates than men. From a disaggregated point of view, not all women have the same experiences or outcomes. An intersectional approach provides a more inclusive and extensive perspective when exploring the differences among women.