How Age and Gender Influence the Perception of Health-Related Risks

The risk for lifestyle-related illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, or colon cancer can be significantly decreased with a common sense approach to diet and exercise, along with other preventative measures. Perception of risk can shape individual attitudes regarding healthcare and disease prevention. Women, for example, may have an increased risk of heart disease when compared to men; however, many women fear breast cancer more than heart disease. Researchers from the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health, in Victoria, Australia, administered a survey titled "What does the future hold: Australians and ageing" to more than 1000 rural and urban Australian households, in order to learn about attitudes and behaviors toward health related issues, including preventative health care, and individual fears regarding health.

Results of the survey showed that few respondents had a well-developed disease prevention strategy. Women were more likely than men to have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Respondents older than 51 were overall more likely to have regular mammograms, prostate exams, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, and blood glucose testing, when compared with younger respondents. Younger women were more likely to have regular pap smears than older women, and men over 51 were more likely to have regular prostate exams when compared with younger men.

Older respondents were more likely than younger ones to have annual physical exams and to seek information on disease prevention. Respondents under the age of 30 demonstrated little interest in learning about disease prevention, particularly when their responses were compared with those from the over-51 age group. Those over 51 were much more likely to be interested information on heart disease, bowel cancer, stroke, and high cholesterol than younger participants. Women wanted information on diabetes, depression, and anxiety, while men were only interested in information on prostate cancer. Ninety-four percent of women felt a responsibility for learning about disease prevention, compared with 89 percent of men.

Respondents chose lifestyle, genetics, home life and relationships, environment, and having a disease prevention strategy as factors with an important influence on health and longevity. More women than men included disease prevention strategies, lifestyle behaviors, genetics, and a stable home environment as factors influential to disease prevention. Younger participants rated lifestyle and work environment as most influential, while older participants responded that a stable home environment and healthy relationships were most important.

Respondents' greatest fears included the possibility of developing a physically or mentally debilitating illness, losing loved ones, or losing independence. Other worries included money, loneliness, appearance, and the possibility of having to live in a retirement home. Many reported having a plan for their financial security, but not for their health. Older participants were much more likely to have a plan for future health and wellbeing in place than younger participants.

The authors concluded that gender and age are major factors in health-related beliefs and behaviors. Results from the study demonstrated that lifestyle and health considerations are a priority for the majority of respondents, despite the reluctance of some to take a more active role in preventative healthcare. Educating the general population will be critical to any efforts to address the growing problem of chronic, lifestyle-related disease. Data from studies like this one may be helpful in planning prevention programs that meet the particular needs of specific age groups and genders.

Source:

The effects of gender and age on health related behaviors
BMC Public Health