Gender and Global Health: A Critical Intersection

The relationship between gender and global health is a complex and often overlooked determinant of health outcomes worldwide. Recognizing and addressing gender-related inequities is not merely a matter of fairness, but is foundational to the effectiveness, legitimacy, and sustainability of global health initiatives. A comprehensive understanding of how gender influences health – from access to resources and opportunities to the quality of care received – is crucial for improving health for everyone.

The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health

In April 2025, the Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health released a landmark report, “Achieving gender justice for global health equity,”¹ the culmination of a five-year review of the history and politics of gender justice within the global health system. The Commission, comprised of a multi-disciplinary group of experts,² identified both progress and formidable challenges in achieving gender justice in health.

Why Gender Matters in Global Health

Gender significantly influences health in numerous ways. It shapes:

• Access to Resources: Gender norms dictate access to education, economic opportunities, and political power, all of which impact health.
• Exposure to Risks: Gender roles can increase vulnerability to specific health risks, such as gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections, and maternal mortality.
• Healthcare Seeking Behavior: Cultural expectations and gender norms influence when and how individuals seek healthcare.
• Quality of Care: Gender biases within healthcare systems can lead to unequal treatment and poorer health outcomes for certain groups.

Applying a ‘gender lens’ to health policy – understanding the different health considerations required depending on gender – is essential for improving health outcomes for all. ²

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite progress, significant challenges remain. Gender is increasingly being “weaponized, manipulated and politicised,”² with damaging implications for global health. A lack of understanding regarding the links between gender and health negatively affects outcomes. The Commission urges the global health community and its allies to continue pressing forward for equality and justice.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors of the Lancet Commission report have disclosed potential conflicts of interest. SH and KB are Co-Chief Executive Officers of Global Health 50/50, a funder of the Commission. SH reports support from a Wellcome Trust grant to University College London (UCL) and is a member of the Elsevier Inclusion and Diversity Board. EN has received payments from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UCL, and Southern Denmark University for lectures, travel support from the Wellcome Trust, and support from Robert Woods Johnson Foundation for workshop attendance.³

Key Takeaways

• Gender is a fundamental determinant of health, influencing access to resources, exposure to risks, and healthcare seeking behavior.
• The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health highlighted the importance of gender justice for global health equity.
• Addressing gender-related inequities is crucial for improving health outcomes for all populations.
• Ongoing challenges include the politicization of gender and a lack of understanding regarding its impact on health.

Continued research, advocacy, and policy changes are needed to advance gender justice and achieve equitable health outcomes globally.

References

1. The Lancet. (2025). Gender and global health: going, going, but not gone.
2. The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health.
3. PubMed. (2025). Gender and global health: going, going, but not gone.