METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH ON WORK, GENDER AND HEALTH

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide a framework for the research on work, gender y health, combining the classic paradigm of occupational hazards research with the consideration of work as a social determinant of health. We analyze gender inequalities taking into account other axes of inequality: individual ones like social class, y contextual ones like the typology of welfare states. This paper identifies some limitations of traditional research on occupational health from a gender perspective. It also describes the research on work as a social determinant of health y its limitations from a gender point of view. The traditional research on occupational health has paid less attention to the problems of women. On the other hand, research on work-related gender inequalities in health has rarely considered both social class among women, y the impact of family demands on the health of men. Moreover, there is little comparative research between countries with different labor market, family y gender policies. In future research on traditional occupational health, the role of sex y gender should be considered in the analysis of occupational risks. Variables should be used to capture specific work environments as well as several health y health-related behaviors indicators. The analysis of work as a social determinant of health from a gender perspective should take into account the complex interactions between gender, family roles, employment status, as well as other individual axes of inequality, y the welfare state typologies.