Comprehensive US Sexual Health, Race, Gender, and Public Health Policies

What were the Comstock Laws?

Laws that banned obscenity, contraceptives, abortifacients, sex toys, personal letters with sexual content, and any information regarding these items.

What was the ruling of Roe v. Wade (1973)?

Legalized abortion nationwide, affirming a woman's right to choose an abortion before fetal viability under the right to privacy.

What did Lawrence v. Texas (2003) accomplish?

Struck down sodomy laws, legalizing same-sex sexual activity nationwide and affirming the right to private, consensual relationships.

What was the outcome of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022)?

Overturned Roe v. Wade, removing the constitutional right to an abortion and making it easier for states to ban abortion.

What are the implications of the Dobbs decision for medical care?

Physicians may hesitate to provide life-saving care in pregnancy complications due to fear of criminal penalties, potentially leading to preventable deaths.

What is the sociological definition of 'race'?

A social construction based on perceived physical differences.

How is 'ethnicity' defined sociologically?

Shared culture, including language, ancestry, and traditions.

What does the term 'institutional racism' refer to?

Policies and practices that produce unequal outcomes for different racial groups.

What is 'internalized racism'?

When oppressed groups adopt racist beliefs about themselves.

Define 'microaggressions'.

Subtle slights or comments that convey disrespect towards a marginalized group.

What is the 'glass ceiling'?

A promotion barrier that prevents women's upward mobility within an organization.

What is the gender pay gap?

The disparity in earnings between men and women, with women earning less across all races.

How does occupational segregation relate to the gender wage gap?

Women and men are channeled into different jobs, which affects pay and contributes to the wage gap.

What is 'human capital theory'?

The idea that people choose lower-paying jobs based on skills or preferences, ignoring the impact of inequality.

What does 'doing gender' mean?

The belief that gender is fluid and is accomplished through ongoing social interaction.

What is the significance of consent in sexual health education?

Consent is essential for healthy sexual relationships and is a key component of sexuality education.

What is the impact of caregiving on the gender wage gap?

Caregiving roles, influenced by both biological and social factors, contribute to women's lower earnings.

What are some positive sexual health messages emphasized by Dr. Maresca?

Sexuality is integral to life, everyone deserves dignity and access to education and health care, and relationships should be based on trust and respect.

What is the expected timeline for closing the gender pay gap for White women?

Projected to close between the 2050s and 2100, depending on the pace of change.

What are the cumulative financial impacts of the gender wage gap over 40 years?

White women lose ~$400k, Black women ~$900k, and Latinas ~$1+ million.

What social factors contribute to the gender wage gap in caregiving?

Women do more caregiving due to social expectations rather than biology.

How does taking leave from work affect women compared to men?

Taking leave harms women's careers more than men's; 25% of women reported negative impacts compared to 13% of men.

What is the definition of bias in the context of gender?

Systematic, unintentional favoritism toward men when stereotypes are activated.

How do gender stereotypes disadvantage women?

They lead to assumptions of competence that disadvantage women in professional settings.

What are some institutional solutions to combat gender bias?

Standardized hiring, transparency, clear evaluation criteria, and bias training.

What percentage of the U.S. population identifies as transgender?

Around 1-2%.

What mental health issues do LGBTQ+ and transgender youth face due to stigma?

Higher anxiety, depression, and suicidality.

What types of gender-affirming care are provided to adolescents?

Social transition, puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery (only in rare medical cases).

What is the stance of major medical organizations on gender-affirming care?

They support it as safe and effective.

How does gender-affirming care impact the mental health of transgender adolescents?

It reduces depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety.

What was the outcome of the U.S. vs. Skrmetti case?

The federal appeals court allowed bans on gender-affirming care to remain.

How did media coverage of trans youth relate to anti-trans legislation?

Media exaggerated risks and used anecdotes instead of scientific evidence, influencing legislation.

What did the NYT fact-checking process reveal about articles on transgender youth?

Articles about trans youth underwent less rigorous fact-checking than those on other topics.

How do gender-affirming care bans affect individuals like Mila?

Bans prevent access to lifesaving care and make transitioning unsafe due to past harassment.

Who is Chase Strangio?

An ACLU civil rights attorney focused on transgender rights.

What does 'population as patient' mean in healthcare?

Doctors focus on treating high-risk groups to prevent illness in the broader population.

What is the focus of medical sociology?

It examines health care as a social institution, including delivery and payment methods.

What are social determinants of health?

Non-medical social factors that shape health outcomes, such as income, education, and access to healthcare.

What is the social gradient in health?

Each step up the socioeconomic ladder correlates with better health and longer life.

What is the life expectancy gap between the lowest and highest income groups?

There is a massive life expectancy gap across social classes.

How does the U.S. compare to other countries in terms of healthcare spending and life expectancy?

The U.S. spends more on healthcare but has a lower life expectancy than the OECD average.

How do chronic stress and social determinants affect health?

Chronic stress leads to high cortisol levels, increasing infection risk and causing biological changes.

What are some social factors affecting osteoporosis in women?

Encouragement to diet, lower calcium intake, and less weight-bearing exercise.

How does masculinity affect men's health behaviors?

It encourages invulnerability, leading to higher-risk behaviors, less preventive care, and worse health outcomes.