Page 197 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Gender inequality and healthcare

et al., 1996). Good health represents an equilibrium across men. Therefore, their overall demands and rights for
all aspects of contentment and is not merely the absence of healthcare delivery are also vastly different (Darmstadt
adverse health conditions (Van Wijk et al., 1996). However, et al., 2019; Doyal, 2012; George et al., 2019; Lancet, 2020;
healthiness and contentment have been deprived for Sen et al., 2007). Furthermore, women have historically
most women. A major obstacle is the inequality between faced a stereotypical perception of being the primary care
the genders and within the genders across the various provider, as well as an excessive user of healthcare services
ethnicities, gentries, and locations. Gender inequalities in in the family. In clinical practice, women are generally
healthcare stem from the primary inequality between men perceived to fall ill more frequently under the assumption
and women that is prevalent in many cultures (Braveman that they face additional reproductive health problems and
& Gruskin, 2003; Dahlin & Harkonen, 2013; Franklin inexplicable emotional or physical health issues (Palència
et al., 2021; Su et al., 2022). The Platform for Action et al., 2014; Sen et al., 2018; Sörlin et al., 2011). Even with
rightfully emphasizes that the existence of economic these presumed ubiquitous traits, major dissimilarities
servitude and poverty and economic subjugation of persist among women, differentiated by age, culture, job
women, violence against women, historically hostile status, ethnicity, motherhood, race, sexual preference,
viewpoints toward the female gender, discrimination by and socio-economic strata, among others (Ekbrand &
race, employment and income levels, the limited control Hallerod, 2018; Greene & Patton, 2020; Heymann et al.,
women may have over their sexual and reproductive rights, 2019; Lancet, 2010). Historically, healthcare providers
and the powerlessness and vulnerability in all walks of life and key players have overlooked the fact that women are
negatively impact women’s health. Major policy and other an eclectic group with clearly delineated aspirations and
forums have affirmed that to achieve greater health during demands (Hay et al., 2019; Jones et al., 2018; Macintyre
one’s lifespan, equality in sharing of family obligations, et al., 1996). Research has highlighted systemic inequalities
progress, and tranquility are required (Grown et al., 2005; and underscored the need for targeted interventions to
United Nations, 1995; Van Wijk et al., 1996). Researchers address health inequities (Langer et al., 2015; Madell &
from diverse entities and fields have recently highlighted Hayward, 2019).
significant gender disparities in accessing healthcare
services and in the provision and quality of care received Gender inequality in healthcare has been a critical
(Coles et al., 2022; Doyal et al., 2003; Heyman et al., 2019; issue with far-reaching consequences due to its impact on
Percival et al., 2023). individuals, communities, and societies. Unfortunately,
there is limited research on the relationship between
Both healthcare providers and consumers have hardly gender programs and inequities in gender and women’s
recognized the impact of gender in shaping the delivery health (Palència et al., 2014; Shannon et al., 2019; Sörlin
and quality of healthcare services. Gender encompasses et al., 2012; Vélez et al., 2020; Weber et al., 2019; Yoong
both biological differences and the distinct roles in et al., 2019). Therefore, understanding the impact of
culture and society between traditionally defined men gender inequality can help inform decision-making and
and women. In addition, it is crucial to acknowledge the shaping policies aimed at alleviating discrimination in
assumptions and limitations imposed on their respective healthcare and ameliorating the delivery and caliber of
functional responsibilities (Cislaghi et al., 2020; Denton the healthcare system, leading to better health outcomes
et al., 2004). The gender-sensitive healthcare system ought for all individuals (Steinert et al., 2021; WHO, 2011; 2019a;
to consider the culturally and socially implemented gender 2019b; 2021). This exploratory study aims to analyze the
differences in overall health, including curative, preventive, association between gender inequality and healthcare
and reproductive healthcare, education, research, in various countries. Our primary research question is:
infrastructure issues, financing, and policymaking “Which major catalysts and indicators are associated with
(Artazcoz & Benach, 2001; Backhans et al., 2009; Domado, gender inequality and healthcare globally?”
2024; Gupta et al., 2019). A healthcare delivery system that
is perceptive to women is essential, as women generally It is generally accepted in epidemiology and the
cope with health issues that are vastly different from sociology of health that in developed countries, men have
those of men. Further, even if they face the same issues as a shorter lifespan than women, but women experience
men, they are likely to be affected in different ways. The greater malaise than men (Heidari & Bachelet, 2018;
physiological traits, processes, and biorhythms of women Lancet, 2020; Macintyre et al., 1996). Numerous arguments
vary substantially from those of men, particularly in the have been proposed and tested (e.g., differences in risks
domains of reproductive and sexual health. Likewise, associated with biases and discrimination in healthcare).
the aspirations and reality in the economic and social Several studies have revealed that the directions of gender
conditions of women differ considerably from those of inequities in health-related conditions were more complex

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 189 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5776