Title: Gender-sensitive health and social policy and programs: fundamental mechanisms for sustainable gender-equitable access to health and social services

Authors: Ebere Ellison Obisike; Justina Adalikwu-Obisike

Addresses: Burman University, Lacombe, Alberta, T4L-2E5, Canada ' Burman University, Lacombe, Alberta, T4L-2E5, Canada

Abstract: Current data on mortality, morbidity, and the use of health and social services show significant differences in health experiences between men and women worldwide. For instance, research reports indicate that men experience higher mortality and lower life expectancy than women. Across lifespan, women may experience more ill-health than men. This paper posits that these gender-based differences in health status are due to the pervasive gender-inequity in health and social care access. We argue that the overwhelming reason for the differences in health experiences between women and men is the poorly managed structural determinants of health. Therefore, we propose a gender-sensitive health and social policy model as a fundamental mechanism that may promote sustainable gender-equitable access to health and social services. We make this recommendation based on the outcomes of our systematic review of eight projects that encouraged gender-sensitivity, self-empowerment, the four-cardinal ethical principles, and sustainability.

Keywords: gender-based morbidity; mortality; inequitable-access to health and social care; structural determinates of health; feminist healthcare model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSDS.2021.112115

International Journal of Gender Studies in Developing Societies, 2021 Vol.4 No.1, pp.36 - 51

Received: 27 Jul 2019
Accepted: 03 Jun 2020
Published online: 04 Jan 2021 *

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