Online Activity #1: Social Determinants of Health

Winter 2023

Social Determinant: Gender

Completed by: Selena Clark

Summary of Social Determinant:

Gender is a social determinant that refers to the roles, behaviors, and expectations that societies attach
to individuals based on their biological sex. It influences how people are treated and viewed by others,
as well as the opportunities and resources available to them.

Gender is not a fixed, universal concept, and it varies across cultures and over time. In many societies,
gender roles are constructed in ways that privilege men over women, leading to inequalities in
education, employment, health, and other areas.

Gender intersects with other social determinants such as race, class, and sexuality to shape experiences
of discrimination and oppression. For example, women of colour may face multiple layers of
disadvantage due to their gender and their racial identity. Racialized young men, particularly those with
higher rates of incarceration, and LGBTQ individuals who face discrimination in the workforce, further
illustrate how complex and interconnected these social determinants can be.

Understanding the social determinant of gender is important because it can help us identify and address
the root causes of inequality and work towards a more just and equitable society.

How could this social determinant have affected an older adult’s life?

Historically, older women have experienced gender-based discrimination in many areas of life, including
education, employment, and healthcare. They may have faced limited job opportunities and lower
wages throughout their careers, leading to financial insecurity in retirement. They may also have
experienced gender-based violence, which can have long-lasting effects on their physical and mental
health.

In their current experience, older women may continue to face discrimination in healthcare, where they
may be dismissed or undertreated for their health concerns compared to older men. This can lead to
delays in diagnosis and treatment, worsening health outcomes, and reduced quality of life.

Gender roles and caregiving responsibilities can also have a significant impact on the health of older
adults. Historically, women have often been expected to take on the majority of caregiving
responsibilities for children, elderly relatives, and others in their communities. This can lead to higher
levels of stress and burnout, as well as financial strain if they have to reduce their work hours or leave
the workforce entirely to provide care.

In their current experience, older women may still be fulfilling caregiving roles, potentially at the
expense of their own health and well-being. They may be more likely to experience social isolation and
financial strain, as well as physical and emotional exhaustion from the demands of caregiving.
Online Activity #1: Social Determinants of Health
Winter 2023

Potential macro interventions for this social determinant:

At the federal level, the government could increase funding for initiatives that support gender equity in
education, such as providing resources for schools to implement gender-sensitive curriculum and
training for educators to recognize and address gender-based discrimination. The provincial and
municipal governments could also work together to ensure that education policies and practices are
inclusive and promote gender equity, such as implementing policies that support the recruitment and
retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The potential effect of such changes would be to increase the number of women who pursue STEM
careers, reducing gender-based discrimination in the workplace and increasing women's economic
opportunities. Additionally, gender-sensitive education could help reduce gender stereotypes and
support positive attitudes towards gender equity and diversity.

At the federal level, the government could also establish standards for gender-sensitive care and
increase funding for initiatives that support women's health, such as research into gender-based health
disparities and support for women's health clinics. The provincial and municipal governments could also
work together to ensure that health care policies and practices are inclusive and promote gender equity,
such as implementing policies that address gender-based violence and increasing access to reproductive
and sexual health services.

The potential outcome of such changes would be to improve women's health outcomes and reduce
gender-based discrimination in the health care system. Women would receive better-quality care,
leading to better health outcomes and increased economic opportunities, reducing the gender-based
disparities in the labor market.