Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
An international imperative for gender-sensitive theories in women's health
1Department of Health Maintenance, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Cunningham Hall, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. eoim@uwm.edu
Purpose:
To propose gender-sensitive theories as a future direction for theoretical development of women's health. Few theories pertain to women's health and illness experiences, with gender issues embedded in social, cultural, and historical contexts.
Organizing Construct:
Significance, definition, and philosophical bases of gender-sensitive theories.
Findings:
Six major components should be incorporated in the development of gender-sensitive theories: (a) gender as a major feature, (b) women's own words and experiences, (c) nature of women's experiences, (d) theorists' perspectives, (e) contexts, and (f) guidelines for actions.
Conclusions:
We believe that the development of gender-sensitive theories in nursing could enable researchers to transcend androcentric and ethnocentric views on women's health, decrease gender inequity in health care, enhance women's well being, and ultimately contribute to knowledge development in nursing.
Related Concept Videos
International Nursing Organizations I
ICN member organizations work to advance the field of nursing and healthcare via policies, partnerships, lobbying, professional...
International Nursing Organizations II
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Theories provide a perspective to assess patients' conditions and organize data and methods. They also assist in analyzing and interpreting information. They represent a...
Concepts of Health and Illness
Dimensions of Health and Illness
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

