A report released, on Wednesday, November 2, by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) shows that men are dying at a higher rate than women.
A list of 14 conditions and how they affect the population based on sex was provided.
The diseases include Hypertension, Tuberculosis, Mental disorders, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Asthma, Diabetes, Kidney problems, Respiratory disorders, Pneumonia, Arthritis, Cardiac disorders, and other chronic and respiratory conditions.
More men than women were said to suffer from Mental illness, Kidney problems and Tuberculosis, but more females dominated in 11 of the chronic illnesses.
The cause of the higher death rate in men was associated with an influx in gender-biased diseases and policies.
“Women tend to have more minor illnesses and non-fatal chronic diseases, while men have more fatal chronic diseases and higher mortality rates,” the report by KNBS indicated.
Data also shows that men, especially at younger ages, are highly prone to violent deaths such as suicide and homicide.
Earlier in the year, former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ukur Yatani said that men in the country are likely to die before their 60th birthday, with the national life expectancy for males standing at 60 years against females’ 66.5.
More research also shows that women tend to have more minor illnesses and non-fatal chronic diseases, while men have more fatal chronic diseases and higher mortality rates.
Deliberate efforts by the government and other stakeholders over the years have also contributed to a low female mortality rate, owing to issues of maternal and HIV-related deaths among women being addressed.
These statistics are expected to form the basis for the government to take actions that address gender-specific issues in our society.
The recent report, which does not fully explain the cause and effects of the findings, leaves an open window for researchers and education institutions to make more discoveries.
"We need this data to provide evidence for our programmes and policies, measure gaps and progress and unmask opportunities,” National Gender and Equality Commission secretary Betty Sungura stated at the report's launch event.
A similar report done in May 2022, by the Kenya Economic Survey, also indicated that the number of registered deaths between 2017/21 was higher among males than among females across all age groups.
