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Feminism meets the "new" epidemiologies: toward an appraisal of antifeminist biases in epidemiological research on women's health

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  • Inhorn, Marcia C.
  • Whittle, K. Lisa

Abstract

This essay explores an alternative paradigm for epidemiology, one which is explicitly informed by a feminist perspective. We intend to expand upon recent critiques and debates within the emergent fields of "critical", "popular", and "alternative" epidemiology to examine how epidemiology's conceptual models -- which are meant to contribute to the prevention of social inequalities in health, but may instead reinforce social hierarchies based on gender, race, and class -- constrain our understanding of health and disease. Specifically, we examine persistent antifeminist biases in contemporary epidemiological research on women's health. Issues highlighted include: problem definition and knowledge production in women's health; biological essentialization of women as reproducers; and decontextualization and depoliticization of women's health risks. As part of this critique, we include suggestions for an emancipatory epidemiology that incorporates an alternative feminist framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Inhorn, Marcia C. & Whittle, K. Lisa, 2001. "Feminism meets the "new" epidemiologies: toward an appraisal of antifeminist biases in epidemiological research on women's health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 553-567, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:53:y:2001:i:5:p:553-567
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    Cited by:

    1. Gustafsson, Per E. & Hammarström, Anne, 2012. "Socioeconomic disadvantage in adolescent women and metabolic syndrome in mid-adulthood: An examination of pathways of embodiment in the Northern Swedish Cohort," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(10), pages 1630-1638.
    2. Desai, Sapna, 2016. "Pragmatic prevention, permanent solution: Women's experiences with hysterectomy in rural India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 11-18.

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