NEW DELHI: A significant global study published in The Lancet Public Health indicates that while women tend to live longer than men, they also endure more years dealing with pain, depression, anxiety, and other disabling conditions.
The analysis, which utilized data from 204 countries and territories, reveals that women bear a disproportionate burden of several chronic and non-fatal conditions that impact their quality of life. In contrast, men are more likely to experience premature death from fatal diseases and injuries.
The study identifies lower back pain as the condition most significantly affecting women worldwide. Additionally, women report higher incidences of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, headache disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, and dementia.
These findings call into question the prevailing belief that increased longevity inherently equates to better health. Dr. Rommel Tickoo, director of internal medicine at Max Hospital, Saket, emphasized that longevity alone is not a definitive indicator of good health. “Women are living longer, but many spend a greater proportion of their lives dealing with chronic pain, mental health disorders, and disabling non-fatal illnesses,” he stated.
The research highlights that the health disparity between women and men begins early in life and exacerbates with age. Mental health disorders and musculoskeletal conditions emerge as significant contributors to poor health among girls and women during adolescence, continuing into adulthood.
Dr. Tickoo indicated that the reasons for this disparity are likely multifaceted, involving biological and hormonal factors, a higher susceptibility to autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders, and social and caregiving responsibilities that can adversely affect both physical and mental health.
The study also underscores a critical gap in healthcare systems, which tend to prioritize reproductive and maternal health while neglecting chronic conditions that contribute substantially to the overall disease burden experienced by women.
In contrast, men are shown to bear a higher burden from conditions such as COVID-19, ischaemic heart disease, road injuries, and chronic respiratory diseases, highlighting their greater risk of premature mortality.
