Alexandra Kautzky-Willer

Biological and social processes are constantly interacting and characterise health and the development of diseases differently in men and women. There is evidence that women are affected by non-fatal chronic health problems and painful and socially debilitating diseases more frequently and at a younger age compared to men. In European countries, however, women outlive men by several years, primarily due to differences in lifestyle. To improve healthy ageing in our society, innovative, gender-specific interventions and preventive measures need to be developed and implemented. Biological and social processes are constantly interacting and characterise health and the development of diseases differently in men and women. There is evidence that women are affected by non-fatal chronic health problems and painful and socially debilitating diseases more frequently and at a younger age compared to men. In European countries, however, women outlive men by several years, primarily due to differences in lifestyle. In order to improve healthy ageing in our society, innovative, gender-specific interventions and preventive measures need to be developed and implemented.