Gender
“Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response” series
2011
The series of “Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response” shows that gender differences and inequalities affect various aspects of illness, health and wellbeing in girls and boys in the European Region. This publication advocates for a whole-of-society response to adolescents health looking at the evidence for gender responsive actions. Research shows that boys and girls differ in their exposure and vulnerability to health risks and conditions such as depressive disorders, injuries, substance abuse, eating disorders, sexually transmitted infections, violence, suicide and self inflicted injuries. Yet there is insufficient progress in transforming knowledge into policy action. This publication is a useful tool to facilitate this transformation and strengthen innovative ways of working across sectors, which is one of the core policy actions of the new European policy for health, Health 2020.
Evidence for gender responsive actions to prevent and manage overweight and obesity
Worldwide the number of children at risk for overweight/obesity has increased dramatically in the last decade, varying between boys and girls, culture and socioeconomic positions.What are the explanations behind the differences in overweight, obesity and eating disorders among adolescent girls and boys? Are policies and programmes aiming at preventing overweight, obesity and eating disorders gender sensitive?
Evidence for gender responsive actions for the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and STI
Negative outcomes of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, threaten the health of people in the second decade of life more than any other age group. What are the explanations behind the differences in STIs and HIV/AIDS among adolescent girls and boys? Are existing policies and programmes that address risk for STIs and HIV/AIDS gender sensitive?
Evidence for gender responsive actions to prevent and manage adolescent pregnancy
The publication summarizes current knowledge on what works in preventing and managing adolescent pregnancy. It gives examples of effective interventions and good practices and explains the impact of gender norms, values and discrimination on the health of adolescents relevant the prevention and management of adolescent pregnancy, giving readers a deeper understanding of the gender dimension of actions listed.
Evidence for gender responsive actions to prevent and manage chronic conditions
The publication gives an overview of effective interventions and good practices in preventing and managing chronic conditions. On the basis of existing evidence it looks at why is it important to look at gender as a determinant of adolescence health, what are the main differences between girls and boys in exposure to risk, norms and values and access to services, and what are the different responses from the health sector and the community.
Evidence for gender responsive actions to prevent and manage injuries and substance abuse
In most European countries there is amounting evidence on gender differences among adolescents with regard to exposure and vulnerability to injuries and substance abuse, however, preventive policies and programmes remain in many instances gender neutral. Generally, there seems to be an assumption that interventions and programmes will be just as effective for boys as for girls. However evidence shows that gender sensitive interventions are more effective and it is recommended that awareness of gender issues in prevention should be included in professional training and continuing education programs for prevention specialists.
Evidence for gender responsive actions to prevent violence.
The publication summarizes current data on what is effective in preventing and managing violence, showing effective interventions and good practices through a distinct gender perspective. Through a review of the existing evidence, it looks at why is it important to look at gender as a determinant of adolescence health, what are the main differences between girls and boys in exposure to risk, norms and values and access to services, and what are the different responses from the health sector and the community.