Men are more likely to die from COVID-19 than women.

While anyone can contract COVID-19, data corroborate the claim that more men have died from the coronavirus than women.

While anyone can contract COVID-19, data corroborate the claim that more men have died from the coronavirus than women. Anyone can contract COVID-19 irrespective of age or sex, however, information coming in from different parts of the world suggest that men have a higher mortality rate compared to women. The White House Covid-19 Task Force Director, Dr. Deborah Bir, recently cited a report from Italy wherein men from almost all age groups were dying at a higher rate than women. Men account for almost 71% of the total deaths in Italy. In China, mortality rate among men stand at 2.8% compared to 1.7% in women. The similar pattern has been noticed in other countries such as South Korea, France, Germany, Iran, etc.

Professor Sarah Hawkes, director of the UCL Centre for Gender and Global Health, said, “The honest answer is none of us know what’s causing the difference.” Various explanations ranging from smoking, drinking and behavioural factors such as washing hands less or more fundamental biological differences have been hypothesized upon, but no single explanation for this discrepancy has been proven. Ultimately, Hawkes said that biology, lifestyle, and behaviour are all likely to play a role.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.