This authoritative, state-of-the-art reference collection addresses the main issues and core debates related to gender and healthcare in one accessible volume. Mapping the field, and drawing together cutting-edge research on gender and healthcare, this essential guide to an area of increasing interest provides a critical overview of debates as well as practical guidance on how to bring gender perspectives to the heart of international health policy, practice, and research. Providing an integrated and context-sensitive approach that focuses on men's and women's health, actor-centered and institutional approaches to healthcare, as well as to the needs of service users and professionals, this comprehensive and innovative overview examines both the developed and developing world, and explores intersections between gender and a wide range of social inequalities.Divided into five parts this panoramic survey covers * The gendering of healthcare and policy * The social patterning of health by gender * Equity and access to healthcare * The organization and delivery of healthcare * Health professions and genderOffering an impressive range of international world class expertise and insight, each chapter includes a chapter summary and an overview of key reading, making this Handbook an invaluable companion for a wide range of academics, researchers, practitioners and policymakers.