Why Women Self-Report Worse Health Outcomes
When you visit the doctor, you can expect to receive a form where you self-report your health. Self-reported health status is a subjective way for people to describe their current state of health. For example, self-reported or rated health status is asked with a question like, “In general, would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?”
Over time, research has shown that women are more likely to self-report poor or worse health outcomes than men. Accessibility, social influences, and inadequate health care may contribute to these worsened health outcomes.
Here are seven reasons why women are self-reporting worse health outcomes.
Women are reported to have more chronic conditions than men
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, 27.2% or 61 million adults had more than one chronic condition in the United States. Also, the prevalence of having many chronic conditions was more prevalent among women than men.
Chronic conditions that primarily affect women more than men include:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Diabetes
Breast cancer
Alzheimer’s disease
Osteoporosis
The X chromosome
A 2020 review suggests the X chromosome increases the possibility of mutation formation. With this in mind, women can be at an increased risk of developing chronic or autoimmune diseases because they have more than one X chromosome.
Social determinants of health
The social determinants of health are the conditions that influence a person’s health outcomes, daily functioning, and quality of life. As reported by Planned Parenthood, social determinants of health affect women’s health, including social needs.
The report reveals that women of reproductive age commonly need help in the following areas:
Having enough food for themselves and their family
Assistance with utilities
Transportation needs
Career services to find employment
Child care support
Housing
If women cannot address their social needs, it can negatively impact their health.
Unable to afford healthcare services
The cost of healthcare services can be a challenge for women in the United States. Women in the United States have the highest rate of skipping out on healthcare due to costs and have difficulty affording healthcare compared to women from other countries. Also, a quarter of women in the United States and Switzerland have out-of-pocket medical expenses of $2,000 or more for themselves and their families.
The inability to afford healthcare services affects disease prevention
Preventive care aims to prevent serious diseases and other medical problems. Cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, and immunizations are a few examples of preventive care. Many health insurances cover preventive care, but some require out-of-pocket costs.
A recent poll from Ipsos reveals that almost 45% of women in the United States forego getting preventive care services because they can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs or have limited time to schedule these appointments.
When women can’t get preventive care, they increase their risk of developing chronic diseases, which, according to the CDC, can lead to disability, poor health, and death.
More likely to experience psychological distress
Psychological distress is mental and physical symptoms that happen from overwhelm. This condition is common among most people but can be a sign of a more serious mental disorder, like major depressive disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. A 2021 research article reveals that women were more likely to experience psychological distress due to loneliness, low job satisfaction, and lack of work-life balance.
Extended periods of psychological distress can impact a woman’s health. For example, psychological distress can cause stress hormones to elevate, leading to an increased heart rate and blood pressure. Some complications from high blood pressure and heart rate are heart attack, kidney disease/failure, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, and other health problems.
Poor maternal health among African American women
In the United States, African American women have poor maternal health outcomes. For example, African American women are more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than women of other races.
The factors that likely contribute to increased risk of morbidity and mortality among Black women in the United States include:
Lack of access to quality healthcare
Underlying chronic conditions
Racism
Implicit bias
Gender bias
Unfortunately, despite the push for healthy patient-provider relationships, gender bias still exists. A 2019 survey by TODAY discovered that more than one-half of women felt that gender discrimination in patient care is a problem. Also, one in five women reported an experience with a healthcare provider that either ignored or dismissed their symptoms, with 17% believing that they were treated differently because of their gender.
Lifetime exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV)
A 2023 study of women in New Zealand suggests that exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) may lead to self-reported health outcomes. IPV can involve four types of partner violence: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression. The study’s findings imply that IPV might be one reason women are self-reporting poor health outcomes like a chronic disease.
If you found this blog helpful, check out Common Health Disparities Among African Americans with a Chronic Illness and You’re at a Heightened Risk of these Health Complications as a Thyroid Patient.
How Chronius Can Help
If living with chronic illness feels like a full time job, you aren’t alone.
That’s why at Chronius, we make it easy to navigate the healthcare system as a patient. Our online care management platform brings together all of your health records and offers a 1-click appointment prep tool that easily synthesizes your health story for your care team. You also can track all of your symptoms, identify trends, learn from vetted medical information, and follow a custom patient journey map. Plus, if you needs hands on support, our Care Advocates are available to help you with any issues you may hit up against. Personalized support as you navigate your care journey is what we are all about.
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