Abstract
This chapter highlights the value of gender theory for understanding and addressing global public health challenges. It focuses on reducing health inequities that are avoidable and unacceptable in all populations across the world. The chapter is divided into three parts. Part 1 describes how gender is socially constructed within a broader system that sustains gender norms and gender inequalities that intersect with other social inequalities. The section then outlines how gender norms and gender inequalities impact health and how gender theory can inform health promotion, particularly through gender-transformative approaches. Part 2 illustrates how gender theory provides the basis to understand and address specific health challenges through exploring three examples: women’s reproductive health and rights, the health needs of diverse gender populations, and the challenge of men’s health. Part 3 discusses limitations in current approaches to gender and health and suggests ways to further develop a health focused gender theory with a truly global perspective. The chapter concludes with suggestions on future directions for applying gender theory to enhance health across the globe.
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Kavanagh, S.A., Haintz, G.L., McKenzie, H., Ong, T., Adeleye, F.O. (2023). Gender Theory and Global Public Health. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25110-8_25
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