Study Shows COVID-19 Has Stronger Health Impact on Women

Research conducted by the University of Aberdeen reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a more significant impact on women's health compared to men. The study, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, analyzed national data from January 2015 to March 2023 to assess health changes before and during the pandemic. Findings showed that women experienced a greater adverse impact on both physical and mental health, with decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables and less reduction in alcohol intake. Psychological distress levels also rose more among women. The correlation between health behaviors and mental health weakened significantly for women during the pandemic, unlike men.

Prior to the pandemic, engaging in healthy behaviors was beneficial for women's mental health, but this relationship diminished during the pandemic. Dr. Karen Arulsamy from Duke-NUS Medical School highlighted that negative changes in women's health behaviors persisted until May 2023, possibly exacerbated by financial pressures. Dr. Silvia Mendolia from the University of Turin noted that the pandemic undermined the protective effects of healthy behaviors on women's mental health. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions, especially for women from lower socio-economic backgrounds with caregiving responsibilities.

For more details, refer to the original research published in Social Science & Medicine.

According to the source: The Munich Eye.