Sex and Gender Differences in Health
Authors: Olav T. Muurlink, Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2021)

LettersJanuary 2021Sex and Gender Differences in HealthOlav T. Muurlink, PhD, Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson, PhDOlav T. Muurlink, PhDCentre for Sustainable Innovation, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson, PhDInfectious Diseases Research Group, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L20-1373 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:As highlighted by Spagnolo and colleagues (1), puzzling differences are emerging between male and female morbidity and mortality rates for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the reasons for this sex- and gender-related disparity are undoubtedly multifactorial, we predict that it may be amplified in the developing world because of prevailing cultural factors (2). Currently, credible data from nonindustrialized nations on COVID-19 are sparse, with recorded case numbers seemingly suppressed by unreliable surveillance; lower testing capacity; and an underlying burden of infectious diseases that may mimic key symptoms, particularly pyrexia. Indeed, acute undifferentiated febrile illness is a common ...References1. Spagnolo PA, Manson JE, Joffe H. Sex and gender differences in health: what the COVID-19 pandemic can teach us. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173:385-6. doi:10.7326/M20-1941 LinkGoogle Scholar2. Muurlink OT, Taylor-Robinson AW. COVID-19: cultural predictors of gender differences in global prevalence patterns. Front Public Health. 2020;8:174. [PMID: 32426319] doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00174 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Anker M, Arima Y. Male-female differences in the number of reported incident dengue fever cases in six Asian countries. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2011;2:17-23. [PMID: 23908884] doi:10.5365/WPSAR.2011.2.1.002 MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Teixeira M da G, Nascimento Costa M da C, Guerra Z, et al. Dengue in Brazil: situation—2001 and trends. Dengue Bull. 2002;26:70-6. Google Scholar5. Rengasamy S, Eimer B, Shaffer RE. Simple respiratory protection—evaluation of the filtration performance of cloth masks and common fabric materials against 20-1000 nm size particles. Ann Occup Hyg. 2010;54:789-98. [PMID: 20584862] doi:10.1093/annhyg/meq044 MedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Centre for Sustainable Innovation, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaInfectious Diseases Research Group, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaDisclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=L20-1373. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoSex and Gender Differences in Health: What the COVID-19 Pandemic Can Teach Us Primavera A. Spagnolo , JoAnn E. Manson , and Hadine Joffe Sex and Gender Differences in Health Primavera A. Spagnolo , JoAnn E. Manson , and Hadine Joffe Metrics January 2021Volume 174, Issue 1Page: 142-143KeywordsCOVID-19Dengue feverDisclosureMorbidityPathogensPrevention, policy, and public healthRespiratorsSexual identityUpper respiratory tract infectionsVector-borne diseases ePublished: 19 January 2021 Issue Published: January 2021 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2021 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...