Men experience significantly higher mortality rates from the world's leading health problems compared to women, according to a comprehensive global study published May 1 in The Lancet Public Health. The research reveals striking gender disparities across major causes of illness and death worldwide.
Gender Disparities in Global Health Outcomes
Analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 shows that men suffer higher rates of illness and death from 13 of the top 20 global health conditions. COVID-19 emerged as particularly devastating for men, who experienced 45% more illness and death from the virus than women, with the largest disparities observed in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
"Our findings shine a light on the significant and unique health challenges faced by males," said co-lead investigator Vedavati Patwardhan, a research scientist with the University of California-San Diego. "Among these challenges are conditions that lead to premature deaths, notably in the form of road injuries, cancers, and heart disease."
Heart disease represents another major contributor to the gender health gap, with men experiencing 45% more illness and death compared to women. The burden is particularly pronounced in Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, where men were 49% more likely to suffer or die from heart-related conditions.
Age-Related Patterns in Health Disparities
The research identified distinct age-related patterns in how health conditions affect men and women differently. For men, conditions that disproportionately affect them tend to present smaller increased risks at younger ages, with the gap widening significantly as they age. The notable exception is road injuries, which disproportionately impact young males aged 10 to 24 globally.
Women, while generally living longer, experience higher levels of illness throughout their lifespan. Low back pain emerged as the biggest contributor to illness among women, with females suffering rates more than a third higher than men in 2021. Women in high-income countries, Latin America, and the Caribbean were particularly affected.
Unlike men, women tend to begin suffering from gender-disproportionate conditions early in life, with these conditions intensifying with age.
Complementary Research Findings
These findings align with a parallel study published in PLOS Medicine on May 1, which found that men are more likely than women to die from high blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, often due to delayed or avoided medical care.
"The timing is right for this study and call to action—not only because of where the evidence is now, but because COVID-19 has starkly reminded us that sex differences can profoundly impact health outcomes," noted senior researcher Luisa Sorio Flor, an assistant professor with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Neglected Women's Health Concerns
The research highlights significant gaps in addressing women's health issues beyond reproductive care. "Large causes of health loss in women, particularly musculoskeletal disorders and mental health conditions, have not received the attention that they deserve," said co-lead researcher Gabriela Gil, a research fellow with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
"It's clear that women's healthcare needs to extend well beyond areas that health systems and research funding have prioritized to date, such as sexual and reproductive concerns," Gil added.
Implications for Healthcare Systems
The study emphasizes how biological and social factors accumulate over time, resulting in different health experiences for men and women across life stages and geographic regions.
"The challenge now is to design, implement, and evaluate sex- and gender-informed ways of preventing and treating the major causes of morbidity and premature mortality from an early age and across diverse populations," Flor concluded.
Healthcare experts suggest that national health plans need to develop targeted strategies addressing the specific health needs of both men and women throughout their lives. For men, this includes interventions targeting behavioral risks such as alcohol use and smoking that typically begin at a young age, while for women, greater attention to musculoskeletal and mental health conditions is warranted.
The research underscores the importance of recognizing gender differences in healthcare planning and delivery, with potential implications for clinical guidelines, preventive care approaches, and resource allocation in global health systems.
