In a recent study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine, researchers found that males are more likely than females to get sick and die from three common conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and AIDS. The study, conducted by Angela Chang and colleagues at the University of Southern Denmark, analyzed global health data to highlight the disparities in health outcomes between males and females.
Despite the strong evidence that sex and gender can significantly influence a person’s health, many health policies are the same for both sexes. The researchers aimed to identify and reduce health inequities by comparing rates of diseases, diagnosis, and treatment between males and females for the three conditions.
The analysis revealed significant differences between males and females at each stage of the health pathway, from exposure to risk factors to death. Males had higher rates of disease and death compared to females, and in some countries, they were less likely to seek medical care and adhere to treatment. The study also found that males were more likely to smoke, while females were more likely to be obese and engage in unsafe sex.
The researchers emphasized the need for public health strategies to encourage males to participate in preventive and healthcare services. They also highlighted the importance of examining health data by sex to guide appropriate interventions and reduce health inequities. By collecting more comprehensive datasets for various conditions, healthcare professionals can monitor sex differences and implement equitable policies.
Professors Kent Buse and Sarah Hawkes, co-founders of Global 50/50, stressed the importance of publishing sex-disaggregated data to understand where the health journeys of men and women diverge. Angela Chang, the senior author of the study, emphasized that without sex-disaggregated data, interventions fail to address the disparities along the health pathway.
The study concluded that a gender justice approach is crucial for reducing health inequities, as most differences are influenced by socially-constructed gender norms. By taking a gender analysis approach, healthcare systems can be shaped to promote health equity for all individuals.
For more information, the study titled “Sex-disaggregated data along the gendered health pathways: A review and analysis of global data on hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and AIDS” can be found in PLOS Medicine. The DOI for the study is 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004592.
This research underscores the importance of addressing sex differences in health outcomes and developing inclusive healthcare policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals.
