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Achieving Gender Equity in Health: Key Areas of Focus Under Universal Health Coverage

Abstract
Gender significantly impacts health outcomes, influencing lifestyle, well-being, and healthcare access throughout a person’s life. Bridging gender gaps in health can enhance human capital and ensure equitable health opportunities for all sexes. Achieving gender equity in health necessitates a systematic approach across health systems, with universal health coverage (UHC) and integrated primary health care (PHC) services providing a crucial platform. Five priority investment areas are highlighted: comprehensive sexual, reproductive, adolescent, and maternal health services; healthcare coverage for older adults; gender equality in health leadership; mental health coverage under UHC; and reducing gender disparities in pandemic preparedness and emergency response. These investments can empower women, girls, and other gender identities, support healthy aging, improve mental health access, and ensure effective health leadership and pandemic response.
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Altuwaijri,, Sameera; Saadat, Seemeen; Boudjadja, Meriem; Nielsen, Charlotte Pram; Gordillo-Tobar, Amparo Elena; Maruo, Mirai; Rakh, Priyadarshani. 2024. Achieving Gender Equity in Health: Key Areas of Focus Under Universal Health Coverage. World Bank Gender Thematic Policy Notes Series: Evidence and Practice Note. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/41831 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.
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