Open AccessDemocracy and Women′s Health
Author(s) -
Jalil Safaei
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
mens sana monographs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0973-1229
pISSN - 1998-4014
DOI - 10.4103/0973-1229.42101
Subject(s) - polity , socioeconomic status , democracy , politics , social determinants of health , mediation , political science , sociology , population , health care , social science , law , demography
New research on broader determinants of health has culminated into the new paradigm of social determinants of health. The fundamental view that underlies this new paradigm is that socioeconomic and political contexts in which people live have significant bearing upon their health and well-being. Unlike a wealth of research on socioeconomic determinants, few studies have focused on the role of political factors. Some of these studies examine the role of political determinants on health through their mediation with the labour environments and systems of welfare state. A few others study the relationship between polity regimes and population health more directly. However, none of them has a focus on women's health. This study explores the interactions, both direct and indirect, between democracy and women's health. In doing so, it identifies some of the main health vulnerabilities for women and explains, through a conceptual model, how democracy and respect for human rights interacts with women's health.