Global Study Finds Males More Vulnerable to Common Diseases and Less Likely to Seek Care

May 2, 2025 – A sweeping new global analysis has revealed that males are not only more likely to contract and die from three widespread diseases-hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS-but are also less likely to seek medical care compared to females. The findings, published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine, highlight urgent gaps in health equity and call for more gender-sensitive health policies worldwide.

Key Findings: Males at Greater Risk, Less Likely to Get Help

Researchers led by Angela Chang of the University of Southern Denmark analyzed health data from dozens of countries, examining how sex and gender impact the entire “health pathway.” This pathway includes exposure to risk factors, disease development, diagnosis, treatment, and mortality.

The study found that:

• Males have higher rates of disease and death from hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS across many countries.

• Males are less likely to seek care or adhere to treatment regimens for these conditions.

• Behavioral risk factors differ by sex: Males are more likely to smoke, while females are more likely to be obese or engage in unsafe sex.

These patterns were consistent across 200 countries for hypertension, 39 for diabetes, and 76 for HIV/AIDS.

Why the Differences?

Experts say that these disparities are not solely due to biological differences. Socially constructed gender roles and expectations play a significant part in shaping health behaviors and access to care.

Professors Kent Buse and Sarah Hawkes, co-founders of the health equity initiative Global 50/50, emphasized the importance of analyzing health data by sex. “Such data can reveal where the health journeys of men and women diverge, be it in relation to the risk factors they are exposed to, their health care-seeking behaviors, or their experiences in health care systems,” they said.

The Call for Change

The researchers urge public health professionals to develop targeted strategies to encourage males to participate in preventive and ongoing health care services. They also advocate for more comprehensive, sex-disaggregated health data to better monitor and address these disparities.

Angela Chang, the study’s senior author, warned, “Without sex-disaggregated cascade data, we’re flying blind-unable to detect who is falling through the cracks in prevention, diagnosis, and care.”

Towards Gender-Equitable Health Care

The study’s authors and independent experts agree: achieving health equity requires a gender justice approach, recognizing both biological and social factors that influence health outcomes. Tailoring interventions to address these differences is seen as a crucial step toward more equitable and effective health care systems.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on findings published in PLOS Medicine and summarized from a news report on Medical Xpress (May 1, 2025). The information is intended for general awareness and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personal health concerns, always consult a qualified healthcare provider.