Gender inequalities in health in the Third World: uncharted ground.

Gender differences in health in developing countries have, until recently, received little attention from researchers, health programmes and international development efforts. This paper highlights several issues related to gender and health in the Third World on which information, especially of an empirical nature, is inadequate. These include certain health conditions and diseases for which gender differences remain largely uncharted, gender inequalities in the development of health and contraceptive technology, the lack of gender-sensitivity in the provision of health services, and gender inequalities in health policies, focusing mainly on structural adjustment. Questions urgently requiring research are identified and suggestions are made for improving the gender sensitivity of health policies and interventions.