Chapter 3 Age, Sex, Gender, Race as SDOH

Question 1

Age in Relation to Health

Answer 1

One of the strongest predictors of health and disease
Morality risk: greatest in first few moments after birth, declining through the first year, and gradually begins to increase again.
“J-curve”
Age doesn’t = poor health.

Question 2

Sex and Gender in Relation to Health

Answer 2

Sex: biological categories of male and female
Gender: social categories of masculine and feminine. Includes social expectations of what a male and female should look like.
“Women get sicker, but men die quicker”
- Men have a higher mortality rate in every age category
- Women are more prone to poor health/chronic diseases.
- Stems from biological differences

Question 3

Gender Inequality

Answer 3

1. Pay inequity
2. Employment opportunities (advancement)
3. Access to health services
   3a. Socioeconomic status, aboriginal status, immigrants,, rural location and sexual orientation impact the social resources that enable men and women access to care.
   - These groups are marginalized, face discrimination, socially and politically disempowered which negatively impact health outcomes.
4. Societal roles (profession)
5. Cultural attitudes and values
   - Gender selection, education, affordable quality day care.

Question 4

Influence on Health Outcomes (Women)

Answer 4

Women experience more depression due to sex characteristics, roles, response to stress, increase in chronic illness/ STDs, pregnancy and childbirth complications and assaults.

Question 5

Influence on Health Outcomes (Men)

Answer 5

Poverty, low education, social isolation, and lack of power can increase risk of depression and these are unequally distributed.

• Men may turn to violence
• Social exclusion
• Suicide
• Reluctant to seek health services
• Avoid seeming weak

Question 6

Strategies

Answer 6

• Equal opportunity for all

- Different programs that cater to the needs of both men and women.