What could a feminist perspective on power bring into public health?

The issues raised in this editorial indicate that public health research mu st embrace the advances made in the understanding of gender and other power dynamics, which influence the social distribution of health and illness am ong the population. Furthermore. it is crucial to recognize that social res earch (including that in health) is part of the social fabric - not separab le from - the processes of power. Thus, a power perspective in public healt h can bring a more comprehensive and subtle understanding of the multiple a nd contradictory elements of gender and other relations of power that impac t on the health status of populations.