Sex/gender-sensitive and intersectional health reports should offer interpretations and explanations in addition to the description of data. Currently, the interpretation and explanation of findings often refers to a mixture of different elements such as theorems (e.g. doing gender) or socio-political conditions considered relevant (e.g. legal regulations, changing values). This is problematic when interpretations and explanations remain speculative, are not backed by empirical evidence, or are used selectively. For example, when interpreting health-related behaviour, (sex/gender-related) motives for action are sometimes assumed (e.g. risk seeking in men) that cannot be supported by quantitative or qualitative data. The following challenges and suggestions for a sex/gender-sensitive and intersectional explanation of findings were developed in the AdvanceGender project.
I. Identification of a conceptual framework for the interpretation of findings
Specific risks should not be explained by group membership alone, but above all by the social mechanisms underlying health inequities (e.g. minority stress among sexual minorities).
II. Grouping individuals into categories of analysis
III. Evidence for explanations, dealing with research gaps
IV. Involving external expertise
V. Managing limited resources
The challenges and suggestions for a sex/gender-sensitive and intersectional interpretation and explanation of findings formulated here are based on leading edge scientific discussions on sex/gender-sensitive and intersectional research and reporting, on original research and desk reviews. In addition, the expertise of scientists, health reporters and civil society representatives was included in a structured way. A Delphi survey showed a high level of agreement with the recommendations developed by the project team.
Furthermore, important suggestions were made for the sex/gender-sensitive and intersectional interpretation and explanation of findings, which should be taken into account during implementation. Overall, it was frequently noted that many of the suggestions can be very challenging for standard PHMR formats at the municipal or state level.
All suggestions formulated here are accordingly tailored to a specific type of PHMR that claims to report on the health of social groups in heterogeneous gender-related situations. Aiming to prevent misconceptions and stereotyping, this type of PHMR is costly and hardly compatible with rapid data provision.
The implementation of recommendations, for example to reflect on one’s own assumptions or to include scientific evidence, should therefore, insofar as possible, take place in a team. In addition, as suggested, opportunities for cooperation with recognised research institutions and experts should be sought, and sufficient resources need to be available. The possibility of working on a few selected topics together with recognised experts should be considered if resources are scarce.
Authors:
Emily Mena, Gabriele Bolte (University of Bremen, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, Department of Social Epidemiology), Kathleen Pöge, Alexander Rommel, Sarah Strasser, Anke-Christine Saß, Franziska Prütz, Anne Starker (Robert Koch Institute) on behalf of the joint project AdvanceGender
Suggested citation: Mena E, Bolte G, Pöge K, Rommel A, Strasser S, Saß AC, Prütz F, Starker A. Geschlechtersensible und intersektionale Analysestrategien. In: AdvanceGender Study Group (ed.). Suggestions for sex/gender-sensitive and intersectionality-informed research and health reporting; 2022. (www.advancegender.info).
Corresponding authors for the Delphi survey: Kathleen Pöge (PoegeK@rki.de), Alexander Rommel (RommelR@rki.de)
Corresponding authors for the evaluation strategies: Gabriele Bolte (gabriele.bolte@uni-bremen.de)
Version: 1.0 (Date: 02.03.2022)