Gender Inequity in the Public Health Workforce
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Originally Published In
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
Abstract
Context:
Public health is a gendered field. Although a majority of the public health workforce, women encounter an imbalance of power and experience disparate opportunities within the profession.
Analysis:
This article offers a multidimensional critique of gender inequity within the public health workforce through an examination of the literature.
Results:
There are three existing disparities between men and women in public health: unequal representation in leadership positions; persistence of wage discrimination; and disparities in scholarly publication and citations. Disparities are often more pronounced among women with intersectional identities (eg, race/ethnicity or other identities).
Discussion:
Gender inequity is structural, and solutions must address micro-, interactional, and macro-levels. The changing workforce and practitioners' skills in addressing upstream issues provide the opportunity to address this issue.
