Prev Med. 2014 Oct;67:295-302. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.007. Epub 2014 Aug 9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare health status and its risk factors between men and women who are from countries of different income status in Asia.

METHOD: We have included 47 Asian countries and 2 regions in this study. Life expectancy, mortality rate from communicable disease, non-communicable disease and injuries, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases risk factors and their trends were extracted from the WHO and respective governmental database. Subgroup analysis was performed based on country income groups.

RESULTS: Overall, men have shorter life expectancy and higher mortality rates compared to women. Men from higher-income countries lived longer compared to men from lower-income countries. There is a wide variation of male life expectancy in upper and lower middle income countries. The mean systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and body mass index in Asia have also increased over the years.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms that Asian men have poorer health compared to women besides the growing concerns on NCD risk factors. The findings from this study calls for a concerted effort to find solutions in addressing men’s health problems in Asia.

PMID:25117523 | DOI:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.007