Gender Leadership Disparities in Public Health Academia
Author Information
Author(s): Abdalla Mohamed Osman Gafar, Sobczyk Aleksander, Kemper Seeley Geri
Primary Institution: World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), Geneva, Switzerland
Hypothesis
Public health academia leadership should ideally mirror the global sex ratio—approximately 1:1.
Conclusion
The study reveals significant gender disparities in public health leadership, with women underrepresented despite their majority in the healthcare workforce.
Supporting Evidence
- Women represent around 70% of the global healthcare workforce but are underrepresented in leadership roles.
- 111 males (45%) and 94 females (38%) were found in public health leadership positions.
- 13% of leaders' sex remained unknown due to lack of information.
- The Americas region has made progress toward gender parity, while regions like Africa and the Middle East face challenges.
- The 'leaky pipeline' phenomenon slows women's progression at senior career stages.
- Gender-diverse leadership improves decision-making in health policy development.
Takeaway
This study shows that there are not enough women in leadership roles in public health, even though many women work in healthcare. We need to help more women become leaders.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from accredited public health institutions to assess gender representation in leadership roles.
Potential Biases
The study may be influenced by systemic biases and lack of transparency in hiring and promotion processes.
Limitations
Most data came from US and Europe-based institutions, limiting the accuracy of region-specific conclusions.
Participant Demographics
The research team included members from various academic and professional backgrounds across different regions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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