COVID-19 and the gender health paradox.
Scand J Public Health
; 49(1): 17-26, 2021 Feb.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1207566
ABSTRACT
This article examines gender-based health inequalities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic by drawing on insights from research into the 'gender health paradox'. Decades of international research shows that, across Europe, men have shorter life expectancies and higher mortality rates than women, and yet, women report higher morbidity. These gender-based health inequalities also appear to be evident within the pandemic and its aftermath. The article starts by providing an overview of the 'gender health paradox' and the biological, social, economic and political explanations for it. It then outlines the international estimates of gender-based inequalities in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates - where emerging data suggests that women are more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 but that men have a higher mortality rate. It then explores the longer term consequences for gender-based health inequalities of the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the impacts of government policy responses and the emerging economic crisis, suggesting that this might lead to increased mortality amongst men and increased morbidity amongst women. The essay concludes by reflecting on the pathways shaping gender-based health inequalities in the COVID-19 pandemic and the responses needed to ensure that it does not exacerbate gender-based health inequalities into the future.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Health Status Disparities
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Scand J Public Health
Journal subject:
Social Medicine
/
Public Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
1403494820975604
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