Are Women Sicker Than Men?
It is well known that women live longer than men, but are we living any better?
Recent data from a Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) survey revealed
that women report more health problems than men. For example, in the three months
prior to the survey, 52 percent of women reported that they have been sick one
or more times. This compared to only 44 percent of men.
Other findings of this survey:
- Women are more likely to visit the doctor.
- 69 percent of women and 53 percent of men say that in the last year they
have gone to the doctor one or more times for a specific health problem.
- Women suffer more from certain minor health conditions.
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- Women report greater usage of nonprescription drugs and dietary supplements.
- 82 percent of women in comparison to 71 percent of men say they have used
nonprescription medication in the last six months to treat at least one of
the common ailments from which they suffer.
- Six out of 10 (60%) women have used a dietary supplement while only 46 percent
of men report having used dietary supplements. This is lower than we would
expect for women, since most pregnant women are recommended to take prenatal
vitamins (especially folic acid), and most menopausal women are recommended
to take calcium supplements.
- 30 percent of women and 23 percent of men have used dietary supplements
in the last six months as a method of treating common ailments.
- 35 percent of women who have experienced menopause in the last six months
say they used dietary supplements for the condition associated with it. This
is actually far lower than we would expect, since most menopausal women are
recommended to take dietary calcium supplements.
- Women are more likely to embrace the communal aspect of health care.
- 66 percent of women and 58 percent of men say that other people seek their
help to understand health and medical issues.
All data provided by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the 120-year-old
trade association representing U.S. manufacturers and distributors of nonprescription,
over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplement products. These findings
are based on 1,505 interviews conducted via telephone by Roper Starch Worldwide
from January 8-24, 2001. For more information, on this survey, go to www.chpa-info.org.
Created: 4/26/2001 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
