GENDER

Gender differences in health arise from the different roles, personality traits, attitudes, behaviours, values and power that society assigns to women and men. For example, women are more likely to be victims of sexual or physical violence. Differences in power and control can also expose women to other health risks such as injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, smoking, substance abuse, suicide and physical inactivity. And women are more likely to live in poverty or to be single parents. On the positive side, women tend to live longer than men and often build strong social support networks.

What can you do?

Think about how your gender influences your health and then ask:

• Do I treat other people equally, whether they are males or females?

Think about how gender differences might affect the health of people in your community and then ask:

• How can we make people aware of the affect of gender bias and inequality on people's health?
• What services or supports do women in our community need to be healthy?
• What services or supports do men in our community need to be healthy?