Presently,there are more men than women who are dying from COVID-19. The potential reason for this can be attributed to a range of differences between men and women’s biology as well as habits. The World Health Organization has reported that 68%of deaths related to COVID-19 in Europe have been among men. Another study found that among Italians hospitalized for the coronavirus, 8% of men died compared to 5% of women. Similarly, in New York City men have been dying of coronavirus at almost twice the rate of women. The New York Health Department reports approximately 43 COVID-19 deaths for every 100,000 men, compared with roughly 23 deaths for every 100,000 women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently isn't reporting deaths by gender, but experts'opinions see no reason this trend would differ elsewhere.

Some underlying reasons why COVID-19 might be more deadly for men than women includes the fact that heart disease is more common in elderly men than in elderly women. Studies also found that high blood pressure and liver disease are more prevalent in men and these all contribute to more negative outcomes with COVID-19. This difference could also be an attribute of genetics because women have an extra X chromosome, which gives them a stronger immune system and response to infection compared to men.

When it comes to strength in immunity, men are at a clear disadvantage compared to women. A weak immunity paired with a harmful habit such as smoking (largely a male habit in Pakistan) or a non-serious attitude about the current situation will no doubt result in contracting the virus. Risk taking amongst Pakistani men may also be contributing to their higher mortality rate. It's possible that men are more at risk because they tend to expose themselves more to larger crowds and social exchanges. In Pakistan, men are generally being less compliant with pandemic-related restrictions such as physical distancing because of their jobs.

Considering this higher risk to men, it is of the utmost importance that strict precautions be taken to prevent yourself from getting sick. The World Health Organization has provided a men’s health checklist that highlights 4 things men can incorporate into their lives for good health:

• Have Regular Checkups

Even if you feel healthy, regular health checks (such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc) are essential to catching problems early and staying in good health. Your mental health is also just as important, and seeking help for mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, can be critical. If visiting your doctor isn’t a possibility right now, you can visit Shifaam.com and schedule your regular checkups via virtual consultation with your doctor instead.

• Quit Smoking

Smoking causes cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke. It also causes impotence. Quitting smoking is one of the best actions you can take for your health - within 2 to 12 weeks, your lung function improves, within a year your risk of heart disease is already half that of a smoker’s.

• Eat Better

Having a healthy diet helps prevent diabetes and many other diseases. Try to eat more fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts and whole grains. Limit the amount of salt to 1 teaspoon per day, sugar to less than 5% of total energy intake and saturated fats to less than 10% of your daily intake.

• Be More Active

1 in 4 people aren’t as active as they need to be to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Adults should do at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Physical activity helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer and can help beat depression too.

Sources:

World Health Organization:

The New YorkTimes:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/health/coronavirus-new-york-men.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/health/coronavirus-italy-men-risk.html

Aljazeera:

Healthline: