Equity in health is a priority for the NHS. However, although the relationship between
social inequality and health outcomes has been demonstrated, there is little information
on how to address this issue from within health systems.
The following objectives have been set:
1. To promote knowledge regarding gender inequalities in health and to strengthen the gender perspective in policies related to the actions of health care personnel.
2. To promote knowledge regarding health inequalities and to stimulate best practices in promoting equity in health care and in the reduction of inequalities from within the NHS.
Review of 2006-2008
An event called the Women, Health and Gender Forum has been organised every
year as a place to meet and reflect on gender inequalities in health and to discuss the
best ways to address them in the health care services context. Around 400 people have
participated each year.
A Health and Gender Report has been prepared and disseminated each year, as part of
the effort to update existing knowledge regarding gender as a determinant factor in health.
Experts from universities and research institutions have been involved in its preparation.
The Quality Plan has brought about the creation and funding of specific lines of research
into health and gender equality among the projects funded by the Carlos III Health Institute.
To ensure gender mainstreaming in all health policies and strategies, two lines of
action have been undertaken: the preparation and dissemination of methodological
tools and the training of health care personnel. Among the most important tools are
the Guidebook for the Inclusion of the Gender Perspective in Health Programmes and the translation into Spanish, in collaboration with the WHO, of the Gender Tool of
the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Development document.
Training activities have mainly been aimed at persons in positions of responsibility in
the areas of health and gender in the autonomous communities and at the personnel
of the Ministry of Health and Social Policy.
The Quality Plan has made it possible to fund the implementation of the Common Protocol
for a Health Care Response to Gender-Based Violence, the core set of indicators and the
quality criteria for the training of health care personnel, in compliance with the provisions
in the area of health set forth in Law 1/2004 on Comprehensive Protection against Gender-
Based Violence. To provide incentives and support the implementation of these measures in
the health services of the autonomous communities, agreements have been signed with the
autonomous communities and the National Institute for Health Management (INGESA), for
an amount of 4 million euros annually. Every year a report is presented to the Interterritorial
Council on the response within the NHS to gender-based violence. The report is prepared
in collaboration with the autonomous communities.
Activities planned 2009-2008
The activities currently underway will continue, with reinforced evaluation of
the interventions made in the area of gender violence.
A Health and Gender Strategy for the NHS is now being prepared. Its purpose is
to encompass actions aimed at ensuring gender mainstreaming in health policies
and programmes and in the care of illnesses or health situations with gender
implications in their diagnosis or treatment (endometriosis, fibromyalgia and menopause,
among others).
| Reducing gender inequalities in health |
|
-Preparation of reports on health and gender and on the response to gender violence. -Creation of the NHS Health and Gender Strategy and its presentation to the Interterritorial Council. -Identification and dissemination of best practices aimed at reducing gender inequalities in health. -Evaluation of the implementation of the Common Protocol for a Healthcare Response to Gender-Based Violence. |