Gender

Overall 51.3% of Devon’s population are female, a proportion that increases with age reaching 71.1% in those aged 90 and over.

Health, Care and Wellbeing Needs

Health outcomes are generally better for females than for males, with lower levels of ill-health and longer life expectancy.  The following differences between males and females are taken from the Devon Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Report and the Devon Public Health Outcomes Report:

  • Males in Devon spend up to one year less in good health than females, which is much smaller than the gap in life expectancy.
  • Life expectancy gap – greater for males than females
  • Males are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured on Devon roads than females
  • Hospital admissions for self-harm in 10 to 24 year olds three times higher in females than males and this gap has widened in recent years
  • Conversely, suicide rates are three times higher and more variable for men, and are lower and more stable for women
  • Female social care users in Devon more satisfied with their social situation than male social care users.
  • Dementia prevalence rates higher in females, which when combined with linger life expectancy means females with dementia out number males by more than two to one
  • Mortality rates from cancer 20% higher in males than females in England
  • In Devon, mortality rates from cardiovascular disease 2.5 times higher in males than females
  • Hospital admission rates in 0 to 14 year olds are much higher in males than females
  • Levels of excess weight higher in boys than girls in 4/5 and 10/11 year olds
  • Participation in physical activity higher in males than females
  • Smoking higher in males than females, although rates have been slower to fall in females, especially those living in areas with higher levels of deprivation
  • Alcohol admission rates higher for males than females
  • Mortality rates from preventable causes tend to be higher in males than females
  • Older single men are particularly at risk from social isolation
  • Single parent households, particularly where headed by a female, are more likely to experience economic poverty. Domestic violence is more common in females, with 7.3% of women and 5.0% of men having been a victim of domestic abuse in the previous year and 31.0% of women and 17.8% of men at some point since the age of 16 (British Crime Survey).

Table 4.3, Public Health Outcomes Framework indicators by age group most affected

Sex Public Health Outcomes Indicator
Poorer outcomes for males Healthy life expectancy, life expectancy at birth, life expectancy at age 65, life expectancy gap, school readiness and child development, gap in employment rate for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues, killed or seriously injured on roads, victims of violent offences, excess weight in childhood, adult smoking, meeting five-a-day recommendation for fruit and vegetables, excess weight, alcohol-related hospital admissions, early diagnosis of cancer, Chlamydia detection rate, mortality rates (preventable, cardiovascular, cancer, respiratory, liver disease, communicable diseases), suicide rate, emergency readmissions to hospital
Poorer outcomes for females Domestic abuse, employment rate, victims of sexual offences, physical activity, smoking at age 15, emergency admissions for intentional self-harm, injuries due to falls, hip fractures

Source: Public Health Outcomes Framework, 2015

Further Information