Study finds men more likely to fall sick, die from 3 common health conditions
New Delhi: Men in many countries are more likely to fall sick and die from
hypertension
,
diabetes
, and
HIV/AIDS
as compared to women, according to a new study. However, compared to women, men were found to be less likely to seek medical care and adhere to treatment for these common health conditions due to norms related to masculinity and healthcare financing.
Men were also more likely to smoke, while women were more likely to be obese and engage in unsafe sex, the study, published in the journal
PLOS Medicine
, found.
The research highlights sex-based differences at each step of the "health pathway", which includes being exposed to a risk factor -- such as smoking -- developing a condition, diagnosis, treatment and death, study authors said.
"Most of these differences are not explained by sex (biology) alone, but by socially-constructed gender -- highlighting the importance of taking a gender justice approach to reducing health inequities. A gender analysis can help to shape systems of health for all," Kent Buse, co-founder of Global 50/50, a UK-based research initiative seeking to achieve gender equality in
global health
, said.
The findings are in line with those from previous studies showing men using fewer preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services for conditions such as HIV and COVID-19, compared to women.
The study found that men and women received different care for hypertension in 200 countries.
Also in 39 countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ecuador and Ethiopia, men and women received different care for diabetes, and in 76 countries, including Australia, Chile, Italy and Lesotho, they received different care for HIV.
Overall, the authors said strategies need to be developed for encouraging men to participate in preventive and health care services.
"We have long advocated the benefits of publishing sex disaggregated data. As our Gendered Health Pathways demonstrates, such data can reveal where the health journeys of men and women diverge be it in relation to the risk factors they are exposed to, their health care seeking behaviours or their experiences in health care systems. That is an important first step towards
health equity
," Buse said.
"Males had significantly higher prevalence rates of conditions in 56 per cent of countries for HIV and AIDS, 30 per cent for diabetes, and four per cent for hypertension," the authors wrote.
"Females, on the other hand, had significantly higher prevalence rates of conditions in 14 per cent of countries for HIV and AIDS, five per cent for diabetes, and only in India for hypertension," they wrote.
Further, compared to women, death rates were found to be higher among men in 131 countries (64 per cent) for HIV/AIDS, 107 for hypertension (53 per cent) and 100 for diabetes (49 per cent).
Death rates among women were higher, compared to men, in 25 countries for HIV/AIDS, nine for diabetes and only in the United Arab Emirates for hypertension, the study found.
Women were also seen to have higher rates of diagnosis, treatment, and control.
For the study, data on risk factors, disease prevalence, and death rates were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
A new HIV drug promises 99.9% protection. But it's making Indian health activists wary; Why?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lenacapavir, a new injectable drug that claims to offer 99.9% protection against HIV. But concerns are being raised in India over its affordability and accessibility, particularly through the public healthcare system. The injection costs around ₹24 lakh ($28,218) for two doses administered six months apart. Lenacapavir belongs to the class of HIV prevention drugs known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, India's National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has not included PrEP in its public programmes so far. "Our govt distributes condoms to break HIV transmission, it provides antiretroviral therapy drugs to prevent parent-to-child transmission of HIV, but it hasn't ever given PrEP to youngsters who are likely to indulge in high-risk behaviour," said health activist Ganesh Acharya. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hanoi: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo He added that NACO had made it mandatory for its counselling centres to provide information on PrEP a couple of years ago. He also expressed concern that 75% of the 88% people diagnosed with HIV in Mumbai in 2023–24 were from the 15–49 age group. PrEP, however, remains available only in the private sector. Experts call for government action, tiered pricing PrEP has existed for over a decade and is widely used in developed countries. In India, public health discussions around PrEP only began recently. Live Events A doctor from a government hospital said, "They set up a committee, then a white paper was brought out that served as a backgrounder for guidelines that were drawn up last year. However, there has been no development since." Dr Ishwar Gilada of the People's Health Organisation (India) said, "The govt should distribute PrEP to check the spread of the disease, which has only been increasing in recent years. The total number of HIV-positive people in India increased from 2.2 million to 2.5 million in a few years." According to him, sexually transmitted infections have been rising in Mumbai. "A recent survey in Mumbai among men who have sex with men found that 60% of them were positive for the human papilloma virus. While gonorrhoea and chlamydia vanished 25 years ago, their numbers are shooting up," he said. He suggested a three-tier pricing structure: full price for those who can afford it, subsidised pricing for some, and free access for those unable to pay. NACO officials were not available for comment. India has also not approved HIV self-testing kits. "We have self-testing kits for pregnancy, diabetes, and Covid, but policymakers fear about the mental health of people after a positive result in self-testing HIV kits," said Dr Gilada. A senior doctor suggested that similar fears may be behind the delay in rolling out PrEP publicly, as officials worry it might encourage risky behaviour. Hope for lower-cost versions as UNAIDS urges price drop Bala from Bombay Gay called lenacapavir a "monumental milestone forward in HIV treatment and prevention," but added that the current price point makes it inaccessible in India. "So, we have to wait and see if prices will come down over time," he said. Dr Gilada expressed hope that Indian manufacturers licensed by Gilead Sciences might eventually offer the injection at less than $100 per year. "India can do it," he said. UNAIDS, in a recent statement, urged Gilead Lifesciences to reduce the price of the new drug to improve global access.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
From headache to hospitalization: How seasonal flu has changed post-COVID
In the past, the seasonal flu was considered a bothersome condition that resembled the common cold or "fun flu" and was characterized by minor headaches, a mild fever, some body pains, and exhaustion. Since then, the flu's clinical manifestation and/or intensity have evolved. On the other side of COVID, more people show up in hospitals with what appear to be routine flu-like symptoms that rapidly worsen because of serious respiratory issues. Dr. Pratibha Walde, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune explains what has changedOur bodies have changed: The body's reaction to influenza viruses, co-infections, and, of course, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 has been altered by post-pandemic immunological sensitivity. A previously healthy people may develop myocarditis (inflammation of the heart tissue), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and in certain situations, multi-organ hospitalisations are on the rise: The most at risk will always be elderly people, children, and those with a history of heart problems, diabetes, or asthma. However, the number of hospitalizations for severe flu-related diseases is increasing, especially among younger people without comorbidities. What usually begins as a sore throat or moderate headache can frequently worsen into a high-grade fever, dyspnea, and chest pain, necessitating oxygen therapy or an admission to the intensive care is also requiring more complex intervetions: The rise in instances requiring the procedure or pleural tapping is one of the most alarming trends we have observed. This entails removing contaminated fluid from the pleural space that envelops the lungs. These situations usually occur when the flu causes substantial pleural effusions or an empyema, which is pus in the pleural space. Large pleural effusions and empyema can cause lung collapse, sepsis, or impairment of lung function if left untreated. The probability of needing mechanical ventilation is further impacted by bruised lungs and postponed treatment, particularly if the infection triggered acute respiratory distress syndrome. With a guarded prognosis, recovery from multi-system failures like ARDS can be Early medical attention is crucial: It is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible. It has been shown that antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) work best when taken during the first 48 hours of symptoms. While rest, hydration, supportive care, and symptom monitoring are important, it's imperative to get medical help if symptoms initial line of defense is still vaccination: The annual flu shot has a new significance in a world where COVID-19 has changed everything. It is for the public as well as those at risk and the elderly. Vaccination can reduce the need for invasive operations and hospital stays when combined with early detection and medical treatment. Seasonal flu is more than just "the flu" these days. The clinical course is more severe and less predictable. Early symptom detection and timely medical evaluation could make the difference between a full recovery and an extended hospital to India Today Magazine
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Former England fast bowler David Lawrence dead at 61
David 'Syd' Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to play for England, has died at the age of 61, it was announced Sunday. Nearly a year ago it was revealed that Gloucestershire fast bowler Lawrence, who took 18 wickets in five Tests between 1988 and 1992, had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, an incurable illness, which progressively damages parts of the nervous system. A statement from Lawrence's family given to Britain's PA news agency said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with motor neurone disease." Lawrence bagged a five-wicket haul against the West Indies in 1991 to help England seal a series-levelling win at the Oval, with Desmond Haynes and Vivian Richards among the batsmen he dismissed. But his career all but ended the following year with a sickening injury when he shattered his kneecap running into bowl during a Test against New Zealand in Wellington. That was the end of his time with England, although he made a brief comeback for Bristol-based Gloucestershire, playing four four-first class games in 1997 before retiring for good after taking 625 wickets for the county. He later became president of Gloucestershire, with his old county saying in a social media post Sunday that they were "devastated" to learn of Lawrence's death. Following his MND diagnosis, there were emotional scenes when Gloucestershire won the T20 Blast final at Edgbaston last year, with captain James Bracey presenting the trophy to Lawrence. His MND diagnosis also hastened Lawrence's autobiography amid fears he would lose the ability to speak. Titled 'In Syd's Voice', and written with the help of cricket journalist Dean Wilson, the book was published this month. England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson hailed Lawrence as a "true trailblazer" who became a "powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport". There was a minute's applause in honour of Lawrence before the start of the third day's play in the first Test between England and India at Headingley on Sunday, with players and officials also wearing black armbands as a mark of respect. MND - MONTAGNE & NEIGE DEVELOPPEMENT
