My interest in differences in health between men and women started when I was working with my doctoral thesis on personality and alcohol problems in women. Men were abusing or being dependent on alcohol three times more often than women. Women were more than twice as often depressed than men. Why? Biology can’t possibly explain such huge differences. In an unequal society it is often difficult to know what depends on unequality and what depends on different genetic and biological conditions.
There is a sex paradox – although women live longer than men they are more sick. This is not the case when you study social differences and ill-health. Men and women belonging to a lower social class will both have higher morbidity and mortality. But all over the world women are more poor – 70% of the poor are women. Women over the world share 5% of the earths total income (Source: Action Aid). STILL women live longer in most countries in the world. But they are more sick. Are there biological explanations for this, or does unequality affect morbidity and mortality? The answer is yes.
One reason why men have shorter life expectancy than women is linked to the concept of masculinity. According to these ideals “real” men take more risks (like James Bond), and they will be more involved in accidents (unlike James Bond). Injuries are much more common in men than women. In 2005 in Sweden injuries where placed as nr 4 in men and 7 in women when the burden of desease where measured. Number one for men was Heart conditions and for women psychiatrical problems. This is only one example of how our society’s ideals are affecting morbidity and mortality, but of course there are many others.
I collect material, for lectures and maybe a book. Contact me if you have research material I can use, of if you are interested to book me for a lecture.
