Will Men Respond to COVID-19’s Health Call?

BY Webster Mavhu —

The latest data from New York tells us that the novel coronavirus is killing men at twice the rate of women. Death rates are higher around the world, including China, France, Italy and South Korea.

Reasons for the gender disparity are unknown, although possible explanations have begun to emerge. However, whatever the underlying cause turns out to be, this disparity will likely be made worse by the differences in men and women’s help-seeking behaviors.

We need to prioritize messaging that puts men at the center of the COVID-19 response or communities across Africa will pay a heavy price.