Assignment On Healthcare Introduction

Running head: HEALTHCARE
Healthcare
Name of the Student
Name of University
Author’s note

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HEALTHCARE
Introduction
Gender and sex are regarded as critical determinant of health along with the associated
mortality and morbidity. Historically, the term gender and sex is used interchangeably. However,
the usages of these two terms are gradually becoming distinct and it is now important to
understand the difference between the meaning and usage of two terms (World Health
Organization [WHO] 2019). The following essay aims to analyze the health, illness and
mortality difference in men and women with a special focus on mental health. The essay will
initiate by stating the difference between gender and sex followed by gender difference in illness
along with mental illness and difference in expression of mental illness among male and female.
Gender and sex
In general it can be said that the term “sex” is used to refer the biological difference
between male and female for example difference in the genital structures and reproductive
organs. However, the term, “gender” is more difficult to define. It is used to refer the role of
male or the role of female in the society. This is defined as gender role or the concept that the
individuals’ have on themselves and on the gender identity. According to the definition of the
World Health Organization (WHO) (2019), gender is referred to as socially constructed
characteristics of both men and women in the domain of social norms roles in the society, their
relationships between each other. The definition of gender and their role in the society differs
based on culture, demography and the orthodox nature of the society. Zakiniaeiz et al. (2018) are
of the opinion that person’s genetically assigned sex does not necessarily coincide with their
gender identity. These groups of individuals are referred in the society as transgender or non-
binary r as gender – nonconforming.

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HEALTHCARE
Mortality and morbidity in men and women
According to the statistical report published by the Office of National Statistics UK
(2017), the rate of increase in the life-expectancy has slowed down throughout UK. The average
life expectancy of males is 79.2 years and that of females are 82.9 years during the tenure of
2016 to 2016. Due to rapid improvements in the mortality of male in comparison to females, the
gap in the overall life expectancy at the time of birth among males and females residing in UK
have decreases steadily over time for exampling 6.0 decrease in 1980 to 82 and 3.7 years during
2012-14. The factors like reduction in the percentage of men smoking tobacco, decrease in the
heavy industry and movement away from the physical labour are manufacturing industries can
be highlighted as possible contributors behind the change in life-expectancy.
Figure: Life expectancy of men and women during the age of 65.
(Source: Office of National Statistics UK 2017)

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HEALTHCARE
During 2016, the common cause of death in males was heart diseases that accounted for
13.6% of death. The common causes of death among females were dementia, Alzheimer that
accounted for 15.8% of deaths.
Mental health of men and women
According to the Mental Health Foundation UK (2019), mental health problems affect
both male and female. However, the rate of occurrence is not equal. In England, women are more
likely to suffer from mental health complications in comparison to men. Women population in
England are two times more vulnerable in getting affected with anxiety disorder. However,
during 2013, nearly 6,233 cases of suicides were registered in UK for people who are 15 years
and above and of them 78% were males and 22% were females, 10% of mothers and 6% of
father during any point of time in UK suffer from mental health complications. One out of five
women in England suffers complex mental disease in comparison to the one out of eight men.
The statistics published by the Public Health England. (2018) highlighted that rate of mortality
arising and dementia and Alzheimer’ disease among the males and females have increased
drastically since 2006. However, the reason behind this is not clear. But, increased rate of
awareness about dementia is making it more likely to be diagnosed and reported. The forecast
conducted for 2019 to 2013 revealed that mortality rate arising from dementia and Alzheimer is
expected to increase in both and female and this rate is likely to overtake the percentage of death
tolls occurring in males due to heart disease. The premature mortality arising out of serious
mental illness (SMI) like schizophrenia and bipolar diseases has increased by 3.7 times in both
male and female in UK. However, the burden of premature deaths in males and females in UK
secure the 10th lowest rank among the other 28 countries in the EU.