THE TRUTH BEHIND MEN’S COVID STATS

In the UK 55% of the deaths from Covid are men, with 62% of them in the under 85-year group. What these figures don’t show you is the real underlying cause and concern – there are fewer men in older age groups.

Men experience poorer health
Men experience poorer health down the years and this results in a shorter life expectancy than women. The reasons for this are multi-factorial.

There are behavioural reasons. Men are less likely to follow health advice or seek help than women. They work longer hours and a longer number of years. They tend to have riskier jobs and take greater risks with their health, including what they put on their fork, how they exercise, cigarette smoking and their consumption of alcohol.

And there are biological reasons as men also have a weaker immune response to Covid-19.

They are more likely to be overweight.

All of this adds up to being more likely to have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease. As we know, these conditions mean a greater risk of hospitalisation for Covid-19.

All of this means that men are working at suboptimal health which ultimately affects their productivity and performance!

Helping men’s health and performance is a special interest of mine. Contact me on hello@deborahmctaggart.com to talk further.

Deborah McTaggart is a registered nutritionist practising in Barnes, South West London, and global via Zoom. She works with corporate nutrition and individuals on healthy eating, with a special interest in Men's Health, Shift Work Health, Travel Health and Avoiding Jet Lag. Contact me here for further information on nutrition plans.