Page 206 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Gender inequality and healthcare

Figure 15. Association between school enrollment gender parity index and mortality rates for males and females at different income levels

and knowledge of birth control (Kim, 2023). However, in interpreting data at a granular level to avoid population
the discrepancy in social contexts between high- and low- fallacy. There may also be some confounding indicators in
income countries requires careful consideration. the gender-health association that ought to be included.
Finally, while visualization was applied in this research
Overall, the net effect is that there is gender inequality
in healthcare delivery, but there is a lot of potential for for a preliminary exploration of the associations between
improvement. Economic growth, education, income, variables, it did not assess linearity (correlation) or causality.
population, and parity in employment are some critical 4.2. Managerial implications and recommendations
indicators that influence gender inequities, leading to Gender influences nearly all aspects of life, from economic
disparities in healthcare. In addition, social, economic, opportunities to access to healthcare.
and political factors influence a country’s progress toward
achieving gender parity. Considering the diverse factors Gender inequalities in health outcomes are shaped
and contexts influencing gender equity in healthcare, by broader societal and gender disparities that affect
further exploration is warranted. healthcare access and the overall quality of care provided.
Public health officials can use the research findings
4.1. Scope and limitations
to tailor policies that address inequitable health access
This study is subject to some limitations. First, due to the and enhance the quality of care for all. For example,
substantial number of missing values for one or more promoting vaccinations can help reduce the risk of adverse
indicators/variables (i.e., common for data sources of this health outcomes for individuals regardless of gender.
size), only some countries were included. In addition, it Governments may also incentivize female enrollment
takes many years for countries, particularly developing in schools, as increased gender parity has been linked
countries, to upload the data. This delay in reporting resulted to longer life expectancy for both men and women. In
in more recent years not being included in the sample. addition, officials can implement health programs that
Second, this is a cross-sectional study and not a time-series cater to gender-specific needs, particularly in low-income
panel. In addition, to keep the study feasible and focused, countries. Empowering women to take charge of their lives,
it only includes indicators available under the gender and including active participation in legislative and decision-
health categories. Future studies may include a larger set of making bodies, as well as ensuring equal opportunities for
indicators for a more comprehensive analysis. Besides that, education and employment, can gradually lead to a higher
the data source is secondary, relying on the expectation quality of life and improved healthcare. Shifting the focus
that countries have uploaded authentic and high-quality to primary and preventive health, along with strengthening
data to the WDI database. It is conceivable that the data public health initiatives, can further reduce these disparities.
are not comprehensive, as factors such as ethnicity, race,
and culture-based indicators may be excluded. Data in the 5. Conclusion
WDI database are also coded as male or female, with newer This study attempts to understand the complex
elements of gender possibly left out. Hence, caution is needed connection between gender inequality and health.

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 198 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5776