Hidden Gender Inequalities In Old Age: Equal Treatment Does Not Mean Equal Results

Inequalities in health and health care by gender for older adults are often hidden because much data concerning the older adult are not disaggregated by gender. Older women are more likely to have chronic diseases that disable but do not kill. Older men are more likely to have chronic diseases that kill but do not disable for long periods of time. A gender analysis is used to elaborate inequalities by gender in two situations. The first is that of post-hospital care under Medicare. The second is a detailed analysis of living arrangements men and women over 85 years in the community based on the U.S. Census data for 2000. Combined with a population health model, a gender analysis indicates unequal access to health care and well-being by gender as well as unequal control over the provision of necessary care.