Gender Approach to the Difference in the Health Status of Women and Men, Riskesdas 2013

Background: The 2007 National Health Report, Riskesdas 2007 showed that female leads male almost in all morbidity of chronic diseases. Differences in health and illness patterns of men and women are not primarily technical or medical in nature, but also attributable to social factors such as powerlessness, access to resources, and constrained roles. Using the latest data of Riskesdas 2013, this analysis intends to use gender approach analyzing and interpreting health status difference between female and male to get inputs for the appropriate measures to reduce the gap between female and male morbidity on NCD. Methods: Riskesdas 2013 data was analyzed using gender framework which stressed the importance of socio economic factors on health status defined as prevalence of chronic diseases. Results: With the exception of younger age, women have higher prevalence of non communicable/chronic diseases. High education appears to benefit only middle age women to achieve equal health status with men. Conclusion: Education, access to information is important factors to reduce the gap of female and male health status, however biological factor remains as primary factor. Recommendation: Since improving health status of women needs comprehensive approach, government policy should facilitate access to education and economic resources to women. Gender approach should be implemented for analysing health data.