In many places, men face a higher risk of illness but receive less rapid care. These observations come from a wide international effort examining hypertension, diabetes and HIV and AIDS.
Angela Chang du University of southern Denmark Directed a team that has gathered information worldwide on who falls ill and who really receives help. The analysis highlighted significant differences in sex, affecting disease levels and overall health results.
Sex differences affect health results
Men have higher smoking rates in most countries according to the World Health Organization. Smoking is a factor known for high blood pressure, making it a key contributor to heart problems. Women tend to drive obesity Numbers in many regions, which can contribute to diabetes.
These diseases are not only risk factors. The study shows that men often end up with higher mortality rates once they have developed these terms.
Many men do not visit clinics Or hospitals as regularly as women, which could mean that they are not diagnosed or treated when they need them.
Risks and gaps in disease care
HypertensionCommonly called high blood pressure, is often not detected. Men jump the controls more frequently, so signs that could be obvious in a routine exam can slip under the radar. If not dealt with, this condition can lead to complications such as a stroke and heart failure.
Diabetes has also shown worrying trends. In about half of the countries interviewed, men were more likely to die from this disease than women. In some areas, women had a larger disease Burde, but men were even less likely to receive constant care in these places.
HIV and AIDS data revealed that in most of the places where statistics were available, the prevalence and mortality rates of men have exceeded those of women. Research suggested that men were often late in tests, processing and membership of drug programs.
Disparities in sex by sex
“Without the data in cascade disaggregated by sex, we fly blind – unable to detect that falls into the meshes of the net of prevention, diagnosis and care,” said Angela Chang, main author of the study.
The team stressed that many health policies and programs do not consider these persistent differences in the way men and women are looking for health support.
Researchers stressed that risk factors are not only rooted in biology. Gender standards and expectations can increase or reduce the probability that a person smokes, receives controls or followed a treatment plan.
Why men avoid health care
Many men report that they avoid medical care unless it is absolutely necessary. In surveys In different countries, common reasons include fear of diagnosis, lack of time or belief that symptoms will disappear alone.
Some researchers suggest that social norms around masculinity encourage tenacity and discourage vulnerability. This can prevent men from asking for care early, which delays the diagnosis and worsens the results.
Disparities in health care for men
“We have long recommended the advantages of the publication of annoyed sexual data. health Care systems, ”said Kent Buse teachers at Global 50/50.
Experts stress that social constructions shape health as much as biology, which suggests that efforts to tackle these disparities should approach cultural and systemic factors. The results highlight the need for balanced health policies.
Some measures may need to target men more aggressively, aimed at increasing early screening, stimulating clinics attendance and raising awareness of the symptoms on which men are less likely to act quickly.
Gaps in men’s health care
Decision -makers and health professionals can consult these shortcomings and explore new approaches to reach men. De screening programs in the workplace during flexible clinic hours, there are strategies that approach current reasons why men often give help.
Experts agree that the examination of sex disaggregation data is the first step towards the guarantee that no one is allowed. The emphasis is placed on the collection of stronger and more detailed information. In this way, actions can be adapted and effective, ensuring better health for all.
The problem with missing data
A major problem with which the researchers were confronted was the lack of complete data for many countries. While the team has found data on risk and mortality rates for more than 200 countries, full cascade data, especially broken down by sex, were often missing, especially for diabetes and HIV and AIDS.
Without this information, it is difficult to see where and why people put the path of care. It is more difficult to design effective solutions or understand how models differ depending on age, income and the region.
The study is published in the journal Plos medication.
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