Question: Why does COVID-19 seem to disproportionately affect men compared with women?

Answer: Data from China, Europe, and the United States show that higher proportions of men who become infected with COVID-19 have serious complications, including death. Data from New York City highlight the stark differences (Figure 1) with nearly twice as many men dying from COVID-19 as compared with women. A number of social, behavioral and biological mechanisms are likely at play here. These factors influence other health conditions as well. Indeed, around the world, women live longer than men.

On the social and behavioral front, men may be less likely to access health care until more severe complications arise (ex: more women are getting tested than men for COVID-19 in the US); they may have riskier behavior (like smoking); and they may make riskier choices (like lagging behind women in following social distancing guidelines). On the biological front, men are more likely than women to suffer from cardio-vascular diseases, which are high risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Women may also have an innate biological advantage of XX chromosomes, which is associated with stronger immune response. There is MUCH that could be written here! If you want to learn more, I recommend that you read this NPR story from earlier in April and this 2018 Our World in Data story on overall longevity differences between men and women.

Figure 1. NYC COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths by Sex