Sex Differences in Health in 1992 and 2002 Among Very Old Swedes

Despite their longer life spans, women show higher morbidity rates compared to men at all ages. The gender gap in mortality has decreased over the past 20 years, but few studies have examined sex differences in morbidity over time. This study examines sex differences in health and changes in sex differences between 1992 and 2002. SWEOLD is a nationally representative interview survey of persons aged 77+. Outcomes include self-reported and objective health indicators. Women had significantly higher prevalence rates for most health problems. Analyses of change over time showed that women had greater increases in, e.g., hypertension and poor lung function, and men had greater increases in poor self-rated health (SRH) and myocardial infarction (MI). The sex difference decreased significantly for SRH due to men’s increased reporting of poor health and increased for MI due to increased prevalence among men. Several health indicators seem to be developing differently for men and women. The gender gap has narrowed for poor SRH and widened for MI.