The Daily, Thursday, April 26, 2001. How the sexes differ The Daily. Compared with men, women take better care of themselves, and live longer. However, a higher percentage of women have chronic illnesses, and women use health care services more often, according to a special report. This report compiles new evidence of differences between men and women in attitudes and behaviours toward health, as well as in illnesses and mortality.
Some findings are paradoxical.
For example, women experience more illness, more years of disability and more stress than men do. But they also live longer. Even after being diagnosed with a fatal disease, women survive longer than men. Women are more likely than men to have health concerns in mind when they select food. They are also more likely to use vitamins regularly, and to be an appropriate weight for their height.