This ready reckoner on intersectionality is primarily intended for students pursuing advanced university degrees in Public Health (e.g., Masters or PhD). The concept of intersectionality has gained immense traction in recent decades. Its popularity cuts across academic disciplines. It is also being increasingly used in policy and practice. It distils key information on the topic and presents it concisely. The use of the intersectionality lens has immense potential in academia, policy and practice. This resource can, therefore, be also used by academics, policy makers, funders and practitioners in Public Health.

There are four sections in this ready reckoner. The first one introduces the concept of intersectionality and outlines its salient features. The origin of the concept, the coinage of the term and its use in contemporary times are outlined in the second section. The third section highlights the diverse use of the concept in Public Health. These include: its advancement upon the principle of equity, use of gender as a category in intersectional analysis, the adoption of the intersectionality lens in enquiries into health systems (and efforts at making them more equitable), the use of the concept during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its potential to advance social justice when incorporated in policies and programmes. The final section contains notes for researchers in Public Health. Theoretical and methodological issues are discussed in this section.

Intersectionality in public health: A ready reckoner