A Feminist Analysis of Social Factors Influencing Bone Health and the Risk of Osteoporosis among Women

Osteoporosis is commonly conceptualized as a biomedical condition associated with aging, hormonal changes, and declining bone mineral density; however, such an approach may overlook the broader social conditions that shape women's exposure to risk and their opportunities for prevention and treatment. The present study aimed to provide a feminist analysis of the social factors influencing women's bone health and the risk of osteoporosis by examining the interaction between gender relations, socioeconomic conditions, health literacy, healthcare access, gender roles, women's autonomy, social support, and intersectional inequalities. The study employed a qualitative documentary research design based on thematic analysis of relevant Iranian and international scientific literature. Peer-reviewed studies, theoretical contributions, systematic reviews, and empirical research addressing osteoporosis, women's health, social determinants of health, gender inequality, healthcare access, and feminist health perspectives were examined. The findings resulted in eight major themes: socioeconomic inequality, education and health literacy, healthcare access and preventive screening, gender roles and caregiving responsibilities, women's economic and decision-making autonomy, cultural and gender norms, social support and family environment, and intersectional disadvantage. The analysis demonstrated that socioeconomic inequality and unequal access to healthcare constitute particularly important mechanisms through which social disadvantage may become associated with poorer bone health. Education and health literacy were found to facilitate awareness and preventive behavior, although their effects were constrained when women lacked sufficient financial resources, insurance coverage, time, or autonomy. The findings further indicated that gendered household and caregiving responsibilities may reduce opportunities for self-care, physical activity, and preventive healthcare utilization. From a feminist perspective, osteoporosis should therefore not be understood solely as an individual biomedical problem but as a health outcome shaped by the interaction between biological vulnerability and socially structured inequalities. The study concludes that effective osteoporosis prevention requires gender-responsive, socially informed, and intersectional strategies that address not only individual behaviors but also the structural and institutional conditions shaping women's health opportunities

کلیدواژه ها:

Feminist health ، Osteoporosis ، Bone health ، Women ، Gender inequality ، Social determinants of health ، Intersectionality ، Health literacy