Gender Disparities in Health Status among Older Adults in South Africa: Evidence from the 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey Data

Olaide Ojoniyi, University of the Western Cape

Background: South Africa has shifted from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases as the leading cause of death among older populations. This research focuses on gender disparity in the health of citizens aged 60 and above in South Africa, considering the country's history of inequality and using gender health theory. Method: Data from the 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey was used for this study, with a sample of 1710 individuals aged 60 and above. Participants rated their health as poor, average, good, or excellent. The study examined gender disparities in health status using the Fairlie decomposition method. Results: Approximately 72% of women perceived their health as poor, compared to 64% of men, indicating a significant gender disparity (0.081, p<0.05). Over half (58%) of the health differences between genders were attributed to household and socioeconomic factors. Addressing differences in residence, household size, position, TV access, and bank account ownership would reduce the gender gap by 18.1%, 7.3%, 13.4%, 17.2%, and 32.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Older women experience more health issues than older men, creating a gender gap in health. To address this, we need to focus on rural women, improve access to health information, and implement gender-responsive interventions for wealth creation.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Gender Dynamics, Health and Morbidity, Decomposition analysis

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