ABSTRACT
Gender is a standard variable in virtually all studies of health and illness in medical sociology, as men and women engage in social behaviors representative of their sex that affects their health. This chapter examines gender and assess its relationship to health from a sociological perspective, beginning with differences in life expectancy and the narrowing of the gender gap in longevity, followed by a discussion of mental health and LGBTQ health. Social and psychological influences also play an important part in the determination of life expectancy and health. Women also exhibit much greater use of health services than men. For American women, an explanation starts with the dramatic changes that have occurred in both family and work situations beginning in the middle of the twentieth century. Prior to this time, public sentiment had favored women staying at home, having children, and taking care of the household. The chapter discusses the social demography of health from the standpoint of gender.
