Bringing Gender into Our Discussion of Policy Issues

Abstract

Policy issues can and should be addressed in courses dealing with gender and aging because health policies as well as economic policies influence life chances, health status, and the choices of treatment available and affordable to older women. Moreover, policy decisions shape and filter the development and dispersion of health knowledge, preventive practices, and decision-making regarding treatment. Policies also have biases built into them that advantage some groups while disadvantaging others; even policies that are considered gender-neutral can have gender-specific outcomes that are harmful or inequitable. This article focuses on ways to include policy issues in women's studies, health, and aging courses so that gerontology and geriatrics students are aware not only of the biological concerns associated with aging, but also of the larger social and policy environments in which health care and aging interact for older women.

Key Words:

• Policy
• older women
• health
• gerontology course development