Men at greater health risk? New study uncovers the truth about three silent killers

When it comes to health, men seem to be facing serious challenges that often go unnoticed. A new study has revealed a troubling trend showing that men are more vulnerable to certain major health conditions compared to women. 

 

The research shows that compared to women, men are more likely to fall sick and die from three common conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. 

 

The study also notes that men are found to be less likely to seek medical care and treatment for these common health conditions when compared to women. Healthcare financing and masculinity are considered the main reasons behind the delay in action. 

 

A study published in PLOS Medicine journal revealed that men are more likely to smoke, while women are more likely to be obese and engage in unsafe sex. 

 

The findings show men use fewer preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services for conditions such as HIV and COVID-19, compared to women.

 

Highlighting the disparity, the research 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.

 

Experts have pointed out that strategies should be developed to encourage men to participate in preventive and healthcare services. 

 

"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 added.

 

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).

 

While, 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.

Health