Gender and Sexuality Across the Life PUBH 570

Respond 

Men and women frequently think and behave differently. It is widely known that there are differences between men and women in the incidence and prevalence of most health conditions, such as mental health disorders and chronic disease. Recent studies have suggested that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and its negative impact on sexuality and sexual health may increase the risk factors of developing chronic disease later in life. CSA is a significant public health problem that affects the lives of millions of people every year, and increasing evidence suggests that CSA may be linked to greater mortality from heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions. But is there a gender component to these chronic disease states?

Sexual health is unique in that patterns of male and female health status are directly linked. It is, however, difficult to make judgments about the use of services as data released publicly are not always broken down by gender.

• How might prior childhood sexual abuse impact risks of other health conditions?
• Do men and women use health services with different degrees of effectiveness?
• Do men and women receive different kinds of service from healthcare organizations?