Gender-Inclusive Lecture PDF

Gender-Inclusive Understanding sex-related and gender-related terminology is important for promoting the wellbeing of all communities and reducing health inequities Gender Diversity Gender diversity has a long history and has been recognized by cultures around the world However, in Western countries...

Gender-Inclusive Understanding sex-related and gender-related terminology is important for promoting the wellbeing of all communities and reducing health inequities Gender Diversity Gender diversity has a long history and has been recognized by cultures around the world However, in Western countries, data on gender beyond sex assigned at birth rarely collected and non-cisgendered identities have historically been repressed, oppressed and pathologized Canada being the first country to include gender in its 2021 national census Gender And Sexually Diverse (GSD) Individuals People whose gender identity and/or sexual identity/orientation fall outside the scope of cisgender heterosexuality Traditionally referred to as LGBTQ+ : ▪ Lesbian ▪ Gay ▪ Bisexual ▪ Transgender ▪ Queer Definitions of Gender “Gender is a social configuration that gathers the roles, behaviors, activities, feelings, attitudes and attributes that a given society typically associates with being masculine or feminine” (Rioux et al., 2022) “Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviors and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time…Gender influences people’s experience of and access to healthcare. ” (WHO) “Gender—which is related to, but separate from, biological sex—is ever evolving in any given individual, community, and society. It impacts all aspects of our lives, health chief among them. ” (Partners in Health) Epidemiology Epidemiology is the (interdisciplinary) study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns, & determinants of health and disease conditions in populations Epidemiological research helps us to understand how many people have a disease or disorder, if those numbers are changing, and how the disorder affects our society and our economy Epidemiological Research Despite societal shifts in acknowledgement and acceptance of gender identity and increased awareness of the importance of inclusion, diversity and representativeness epidemiological literature remains largely dichotomous in terms of sex and gender Clarification of terms related to sex and gender and their meanings are crucial for: 1. Accurate description of gender as a sample demographic 2. Its inclusion in scientific inquiry into the biological and social determinants of health Sex “Simply put, sex refers to biological differences, whereas gender refers to social differences” (Vlassoff, 2007, p. 47) ▪ Often times, ‘sex’ refers to the systematic classification as male, female or intersex assigned at birth based on visual anatomy assessment ▪ Includes biological processes thought to be linked to external morphology, including reproductive organs, genes, hormones, gonads, chromosomes, secondary sex characteristics and the brain ▪ However, these features are not perfectly correlated and can change across time, with no boundary or biological marker clearly delineating ‘male’ and ‘female’ sexes Sexual Orientation & Health Knowing a patient’s sexual orientation identity does not provide detailed information about their sexual behavior Change in sexual orientation over time is normative for some individuals, particularly adolescents and transgender individuals Important to assess sexual orientation based on attractions, sexual behavior, & identity, more than once to account for changes in potential risk factors, such as pregnancy, STIs, and exposure to stress related to being a sexual minority (i.e., holding an identity other than heterosexual/straight) Gender Equality |Health and Social Outcomes Gender norms: Determinant of health for men, women, boys, girls, and gender-diverse people Largescale excesses in mortality and morbidity globally are driven by gender inequalities Gender inequality is transformed into health risk through: ▪ Discriminatory values, norms, beliefs, and practices ▪ Differential exposures and susceptibilities to disease, disability, and injuries ▪ Biases in health systems; and biases in health research Gender Discrimination Gender discrimination at any of these levels detrimentally affects health and social outcomes Example: Interpersonal violence, including violence against women, is influenced by harmful gender norms and broader systems of oppression Gender inequalities lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety: among women through their socially prescribed role as caregivers, among men through their socially prescribed role as breadwinners, and among transgender people, in whom non-conformity to gender norms is often socially penalized Gender Equality Gender equality: ▪ A human right ▪ Is essential to the achievement of peaceful societies with full human potential and sustainable development ▪ One of the most important determinants of health and economic development “Refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boys...[implying] that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity of different groups of women and men” (UN Women) What doctors should know about gender identity https://www.ted.com/talks/kristie_overstreet_what_doctors_should _know_about_gender_identity/transcript