Gender and health inequities: a comment on the Final Report of the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health

Soc Sci Med. 2009 Oct;69(7):1002-4. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.07.021. Epub 2009 Aug 7.

Abstract

The Final Report of the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on the Social Determinants of Health is a substantial and important contribution to understanding the social factors that shape global health inequities. Although gender is highlighted as a key social determinant of health, the report's conceptual approach inappropriately equates gender and health with women's health. This essay discusses the analytic and policy implications of this shortcoming.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Health Policy
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Hierarchy, Social
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prejudice
  • Racial Groups
  • Sex Factors*
  • Social Class
  • World Health Organization