Gender differences in the influence of economic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors on later-life health.
BACKGROUND
Gender differences in exposure to social resources play a significant role in influencing gender inequalities in health. A related question--and our focus--asks whether these inequalities are also influenced by gendered vulnerabilities to social forces. Specifically, this paper examines the differential impact of social forces on the health of elderly (65+) men and women.


METHODS
Multiple linear regression analysis is used to estimate gender differences in the influence of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors on both self-rated health and overall functional health using data from the 1994-1995 National Population Health Survey.


RESULTS
Key findings include: 1) the relationship between income and health is significant for older women only, whereas the converse holds for education; 2) having an acceptable body weight is positively associated with health for elderly women only; and 3) stress-related factors are stronger determinants of health for older women.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings shed light on the processes of healthy aging for men and women, and suggest that interventions to improve the health of elderly Canadians need to be gender-specific.
Prus
Steven G
SG
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6. sprus@ccs.carleton.ca
Gee
Ellen
E
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012927:Social Control, Informal