Gender Differences in Vulnerability to Social Determinants of Health in Later-life

Background Gender differences in exposure to social resources play a significant role in influencing gender inequalities in health. A related question – and our focus- asks if these inequalities are also influenced by gendered vulnerabilities to social forces. Specifically, this paper examines the differential impact of social forces on the health of elderly (65+) men and women. Methods Multiple linear regression analysis is used to estimate gender differences in the influence of socio-economic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors on both self-rated health and functional health using data from the 1994-1995 National Population Health Survey. Results Key findings include: 1) the relationship between income and health is stronger for older women, whereas the converse holds for education; 2) having an acceptable body weight is positively associated with health for elderly women only; 3) social support has a beneficial effect on health for older women only, yet women who are married/living common-law have poorer health than women living alone; and 4) stress-related factors are stronger determinants of health for older women