How social scientists elicit truthful responses on sensitive matters
Understanding women’s healthcare-seeking involves examining attitudes, behaviors, and preferences. In traditional surveys with direct questions, respondents may choose to conceal their true opinions. Researchers employ various techniques to address this issue.
Women’s health: Of religion, culture, and stigma
Women’s healthcare decisions are made within households. Households are part of communities and may be influenced by factors such as religious beliefs, cultural norms, and stigmas.
Gender disparities in healthcare: Rational choice or innate bias?
When resource-constrained households prioritize healthcare for male rather than female members, is it ‘rational’ economic choice or entrenched gender bias?
The disease burden is shifting – and it is gendered
Globally, the disease burden is tilting towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Younger populations are increasingly affected and among this demographic, a greater proportion of female deaths are attributable to NCDs relative to males. There is a need to take cognizance of these trends by expanding and adapting the women’s health agenda, which remains largely focused on reproductive health.
The female patient
Women in low- and middle-income countries tend to access healthcare less than men – and it is not because they have a lower need for healthcare. Among those who do reach healthcare facilities, are there gender differences in the medical treatment received?
Women in less-developed settings are more likely to die than men – at every life stage
In the 1990s, the phenomenon of “missing women” was largely attributed to gender discrimination at birth and the mistreatment of young girls. Subsequent research indicated that while these are certainly important factors, there is a lot more to the story.