1. Home
  2. Gender equity
  3. Gender in numbers
  4. Health

Health

Gender is relevant for understanding the state of health of women and men. In general, women have a greater life expectancy than men, although that does not mean that they enjoy a better quality of life. For example, emotional health-related illnesses, such as anxiety or depression, affect more women than men.

On the other hand, socio-economic inequalities are a determining fact in state of health, and gender influences the access to resources, living conditions and the rules of behaviour for men and women.

 

una dona asseguda a la sala d'espera d'un centre de salut

The quality of a person’s state of health goes beyond absences of physical illnesses. Work overload, greater responsibility in the care of others and more socio-economic precariousness put women in worse states of health.

Having healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle improves people’s quality of life. The fact is that masculinity is linked socially to risk and transgression is closely connected to a higher consumption of harmful and toxic substances, such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

Labour conditions have a powerful effect on citizens’ health. Even though men suffer more accidents at work, work-related emotional health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, have a greater impact on women.

Sexual health is one aspect of well-being and the physical and emotional health of people which is based on the right to enjoy a safe sexual life, free of discrimination or violence. Violating sexual and reproductive rights, such as the right to abortion, assisted reproduction and access to healthcare mainly affects women.

Compartiu aquest contingut