RELATED LINKS

• Projects

• Past Projects

• Papers & Publications

• Other Resources

Prevention Institute’s approach to gender targets the social rules, or norms, that guide the health decisions of both men and women, and the subsequent health outcomes that impact children and adults.

For example, men have higher death rates than women for all 15 leading causes of death and, in general, are less informed about and take less responsibility for their own health, are less likely to see themselves as ill, often do not seek appropriate medical care when needed, and are at fault in nearly eight of ten fatal automobile crashes.

In addition, women are disproportionately affected by domestic and sexual violence and an estimated one in three women experiences at least one physical assault by her partner during adulthood.  Such assaults are linked to high rates of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and to a significant number of unplanned pregnancies.

Prevention Institute’s strategies for addressing the role of gender in health decisions have included enlisting men and men's health organizations as new partners in addressing issues commonly thought of as "women's problems," utilizing the guidance of a national advisory committee, and working with state health services departments and injury prevention agencies to develop a statewide action plan to prevent violence against women.