Research Reveals Greater Health Impact of COVID-19 on Women

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a more significant effect on the health of women compared to men, according to recent research conducted by the University of Aberdeen.

Published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, the study aimed to analyze the differing impacts of the pandemic on the health behaviors of genders. A research team, led by experts from the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and the University of Turin, examined national data from the Understanding Society project spanning from January 2015 to March 2023 to assess health changes before and during the pandemic.

The study evaluated various health behaviors, including dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, alongside mental health measures. Findings indicated that women experienced a more adverse impact on both their physical and mental health compared to men.

Specifically, it was noted that women reported a decrease in the number of days they consumed fruits and vegetables, while also showing less reduction in alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Additionally, psychological distress levels rose for both genders during this period, but the increase was more pronounced among women. Notably, the correlation between health behaviors and mental health weakened significantly for women, unlike men, where such relationships remained consistent.

Prior to the pandemic, engaging in healthful behaviors was found to provide substantial protective benefits to women's mental health, a relationship that diminished during the pandemic. The data suggested that women's overall changes in health behaviors were less favorable compared to men, indicating a troubling trend.

Dr. Karen Arulsamy from Duke-NUS Medical School noted that the negative changes in women's health behaviors persisted until May 2023, implying that ongoing financial pressures may have exacerbated these issues. The need for continued monitoring of these trends is critical, according to the researchers.

Dr. Silvia Mendolia from the University of Turin highlighted that the pandemic significantly undermined the protective effects of healthful behaviors on women's mental health, a stark contrast to the effects observed in men. Prior to the pandemic, there was a strong association between a healthy lifestyle and mental well-being among women, which did not hold true during the pandemic.

In conclusion, the study emphasizes that women, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds who bear caregiving responsibilities, face greater challenges in maintaining healthy behaviors during times of stress. The researchers advocate for targeted interventions, such as social prescribing, to be made more accessible through referrals from primary care providers and voluntary agencies.

For more information, refer to the original research published in Social Science & Medicine, which outlines the gendered impacts of COVID-19 on health behaviors and mental health.