TY - JOUR
T1 - Lack of Gender Disparity among Administrative Leaders of Canadian Health Authorities
AU - Abdellatif, Waleed
AU - Ding, Jeffrey
AU - Jalal, Sabeena
AU - Nguyen, Tribesty
AU - Khorshed, Dina
AU - Rybicki, Frank J.
AU - Ali, Ismail Tawakol
AU - McInnes, Matthew D.F.
AU - Khan, Nadia A.
AU - Shah, Samad
AU - Khosa, Faisal
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2020.
PY - 2020/11/1
Y1 - 2020/11/1
N2 - Background: Gender distribution within the managing bodies of the Canadian health authorities has not been studied despite their integral role in the health care system. The purpose of this study is to quantify gender differences and to craft a geographic gender analysis of such distribution. Methods: Retrospective data collection of all Canadian health authorities at the provincial, territorial, regional, and first nations levels was conducted. The dependent variable was gender, and other covariates, where applicable, included province/territory, region, leadership position, education (PhD or Master's), honorary degree, and primary occupation. Any member within the executive managing body or board of directors of a Canadian health authority was included, unless their gender could not be determined, in which case they were excluded. Results: Quantitative analysis of the 67 health authorities revealed 1346 individuals with identifiable gender (710 women; 636 men). Thematic distribution showed no significant difference in the gender distribution by provinces/territories (chi square = 14.248; p = 0.28), by leadership position (chi square = 1.88; p = 0.75), by education (chi square = 1.85; p = 0.17), or by primary occupation (chi square = 1.53; p = 0.46). Conclusion: The overall number of females exceeded that of males and there were no gender disparities. Critical analysis of probable causes was discussed. Further studies should be conducted to examine the policies and programs within the Canadian health authorities that successfully tackle the retention, recruitment, and promotion of females.
AB - Background: Gender distribution within the managing bodies of the Canadian health authorities has not been studied despite their integral role in the health care system. The purpose of this study is to quantify gender differences and to craft a geographic gender analysis of such distribution. Methods: Retrospective data collection of all Canadian health authorities at the provincial, territorial, regional, and first nations levels was conducted. The dependent variable was gender, and other covariates, where applicable, included province/territory, region, leadership position, education (PhD or Master's), honorary degree, and primary occupation. Any member within the executive managing body or board of directors of a Canadian health authority was included, unless their gender could not be determined, in which case they were excluded. Results: Quantitative analysis of the 67 health authorities revealed 1346 individuals with identifiable gender (710 women; 636 men). Thematic distribution showed no significant difference in the gender distribution by provinces/territories (chi square = 14.248; p = 0.28), by leadership position (chi square = 1.88; p = 0.75), by education (chi square = 1.85; p = 0.17), or by primary occupation (chi square = 1.53; p = 0.46). Conclusion: The overall number of females exceeded that of males and there were no gender disparities. Critical analysis of probable causes was discussed. Further studies should be conducted to examine the policies and programs within the Canadian health authorities that successfully tackle the retention, recruitment, and promotion of females.
KW - gender disparity
KW - gender equality
KW - gender map
KW - health authority
KW - institutional policy
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U2 - 10.1089/jwh.2019.7852
DO - 10.1089/jwh.2019.7852
M3 - Article
C2 - 32091966
AN - SCOPUS:85082598933
SN - 1540-9996
VL - 29
SP - 1469
EP - 1474
JO - Journal of Women's Health
JF - Journal of Women's Health
IS - 11
ER -