[Between men and women, who uses up more health resources?].
Based on the 1999 data by the Lombard Information Department on Health, this study shows health consumption levels among resident people (hospitalisations, outpatient services, state-supported drugs), as divided by age and gender. The survey is aimed at producing significant figures about such variables as gender and age as determining factors. Given an age-associated mortality, health consumption has shown to be high in the first year of life, with a significant increase between 45-50 and 75-80, and a subsequent settlement or reduction. Excepting women in their fertile age, men account for greater health consumption in terms of hospitalisations and pharmaceuticals, whereas women do so in terms of outpatient services. As regards financial factors, mens services are generally more costly than womens.
Zocchetti
Carlo
C
Osservatorio Epidemiologico e Flussi Informativi Direzione Generale Sanità, Regione Lombardia.