Gender in health acknowledges the influence of social,
political, economic and spiritual determinants on the health of
men and women, boys and girls, and the way this impacts them
differently regarding: health risks and protective factors
access to resources to protect health manifestation, severity
and frequency of disease social, economic and cultural outcomes
of ill health and disease response of health systems and
services roles of women and men as formal and informal health-
care providers. Gender in health looks at the roots of health-
seeking behaviour. It aims to improve health outcomes for both
female and male populations, regardless of age, ethnicity,
religion and socioeconomic status. It cannot be assumed that
health programmes and policies affect men, women, boys and girls
in the same way. Differences and specific vulnerabilities must
be identified and addressed in health programmes and policies in
order to make progress towards health for all.