Gone are the times when health programs were merely designed to punish or reward individuals to promote behavior change. We now understand that achieving enduring behavior change is more intricate and nuanced, leading to the development of numerous programs that consider motivation, confidence, social support, and the social determinants of health. Among these programs, there is a noticeable trend towards gender-targeted interventions. For instance, some programs for men utilize their interest in rugby to encourage them to take better care of their health, while programs for women focus on making small, holistic health changes to combat harmful body ideals.
While biological sex is determined by anatomy and physiology, gender is a social construct reflecting societal expectations of behavior. Gender undoubtedly influences our health habits—how we eat, sleep, exercise, connect with others, and manage stress. Although addressing gender-specific needs is crucial, a gendered approach might overlook those who do not identify strictly as male or female and could inadvertently create new biases. Health programs for women have been created in response to a predominantly male-centric society. A significant bias in health research is that much of the information on women’s health has been collected by men and from studies involving men.
The disparities faced by women in health often stem from inadequate representation in leadership roles and unfair social norms that impose heavier burdens on them. For instance, women typically spend more time than men on unpaid domestic duties and caregiving, affecting their health management. To bridge the gap in knowledge about women’s health, women-specific research centers have been established both in New Zealand and globally.
Additionally, organizations like YWCA and Women’s Health Victoria focus on addressing gender inequities and strive to enhance understanding of how health programs can effectively support women’s long-term behavior changes. In New Zealand, Shift promotes physical activity among young women by emphasizing fun, community building, and leadership. Next Level Health empowers women through a holistic, weight-neutral approach to behavior change, moving the focus away from body weight and adopting a broader definition of health that includes well-being, connection to others, and various other behaviors. Therefore, aspects like sleep, self-care, and stress management are considered as important as physical activity and nutrition. These programs offer a more inclusive and relatable vision of health, counteracting the body image issues many women face due to societal pressure to achieve an “ideal” physique.
Despite a male-driven health system, men continue to face a higher risk for numerous health issues, such as coronary heart disease and obesity. Recruiting men for health behavior programs is notoriously challenging, possibly because men are less inclined to seek help. There is an urgent need for male-specific health programs, which often use traditionally male sports like rugby and football to attract participants. Programs like Tough Talk leverage stereotypical male attributes to encourage men to discuss health issues. Alongside women’s health research, male health research centers are rapidly becoming more common.
Considering these gender variations, a gendered approach may be warranted. Gender equality and health equity are global priorities, and these programs have the potential to address them. Aligning programs with individuals’ gender identities could enhance recruitment and effectiveness. Although gendered interventions aim to address specific gaps, they might inadvertently create new ones, especially since many health programs are funded through nationally competitive grants that favor projects with the potential for broader impact. The LGBTQI+ community, facing significant mental health challenges, is particularly vulnerable due to greater societal inequities.
Potential solutions can emerge from gender-diverse marketing that emphasizes gender inclusivity, rather than focusing exclusively on a particular gender. Non-gendered health programs could foster open dialogues about gender identification instead of perpetuating traditional gender narratives, which might be an idealistic goal for lifestyle programs. We do not oppose gender-specific programs, but gender bias in health research persists as an ongoing issue that requires focused efforts to eliminate harmful disparities.