The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Gender Disparities Within Respiratory Medicine

Abstract

Gender is the centerpiece to an individual's understanding of self and encompasses many behavioral, social, and cultural arenas; its broad scope means that it also intersects many social determinants of health. Multiple examples of social determinants highlighted in this article, including income, education, occupation, domestic exposures, and cultural norms such as sexual identity, are critical factors that contribute to ongoing respiratory disparities between genders. Each of these social factors can have disparate impact on patients of differing genders. Understanding and addressing social determinants of health between genders is an essential first step toward achieving respiratory health equity.

Keywords: Environmental health; Health disparities; Health equity; Intersectionality; Occupational health; Social determinants of health.