Assessing Gender Disparities in Health Insurance Access and Utilization: Policy Gaps and Social Determinants

The access and use of health insurance are essential indicators of systems of equitable healthcare and are important for accomplishing universal health coverage (UHC). But determined differences of gender continue to impact the capability of people to get coverage of insurance and effectively use the services of healthcare. This research assesses the role of gaps in policy and social determinants in making inequalities in access and use of health insurance. Using a qualitative research approach based on secondary data from policy documents, academic literature, and healthcare reports, the research finds the main barriers comprising informal employment, financial dependency, cultural expectations, limited awareness, unequal decision- making power, and restricted mobility. The results show that increasing coverage of insurance alone is not adequate to ensure equity of healthcare, as institutional and social factors robustly influence utilization. The research focuses on the need for gender-based policies, inclusive healthcare strategies, and improved insurance literacy to minimize differences and promote equitable access to healthcare services.