Research subject Women’s Health and Gender Inequalities

Building upon concepts and theories from several different disciplines, we aim to understand and integrate both biological and social mechanisms that contribute to gender differences in health.

In our epidemiological studies, we integrate models of social determinants of health with a life course model of pregnancy and childbirth as a sensitive period in the lives of parents and children. We investigate how social mobility and reproductive history are associated with health in old age, and how these associations vary according to gender. Our empirical research also addresses the burden, etiology, social inequalities and comorbidities related to diseases of the female reproductive system such as e.g. endometriosis or menopausal disorders.

We are also interested in how gender, as a social category, contributes to disparities in health. Gender-based experiences, expectations, resources and access to health care will interact with other dimensions of inequality and impact health development over the life course.