In a recent study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine, researchers have found that males are more likely than females to get sick and die from three common conditions, and are also less likely to seek medical care. The study, conducted by Angela Chang and colleagues at the University of Southern Denmark, analyzed global health data for hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and AIDS to identify disparities in health outcomes between males and females.
The researchers discovered significant differences between males and females at every stage of the “health pathway,” including exposure to risk factors, development of the condition, diagnosis, treatment, and death. In 200 countries, males received different care for hypertension, in 39 countries for diabetes, and in 76 countries for HIV and AIDS.
Males had higher rates of disease and death compared to females, and were also less likely to seek out healthcare and adhere to treatment in some countries. The study highlighted the need for public health professionals to develop strategies to encourage males to participate in preventive and healthcare services, as well as the importance of examining health data by sex to guide appropriate interventions.
The researchers emphasized the importance of collecting comprehensive datasets to monitor sex differences and implement equitable healthcare policies. Professors Kent Buse and Sarah Hawkes from Global 50/50 emphasized the benefits of publishing sex-disaggregated data to identify where the health journeys of men and women diverge, and to address health inequities through a gender justice approach.
Angela Chang, the senior author of the study, stressed the importance of recognizing sex differences along the health pathway and implementing interventions that reflect these differences. Without sex-disaggregated cascade data, she noted, it is difficult to detect who is falling through the cracks in prevention, diagnosis, and care.
The study concludes that a gender analysis is essential for reducing health inequities and shaping health systems that address the specific needs of both males and females. By understanding and addressing the impact of sex and gender on health outcomes, public health interventions can be tailored to promote health equity for all individuals.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the research article published in PLOS Medicine titled “Sex-disaggregated data along the gendered health pathways: A review and analysis of global data on hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and AIDS.” (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004592). The study underscores the importance of considering sex differences in healthcare policies and interventions to achieve better health outcomes for all individuals.
