A wide ranging study shows while Ontario women live longer than men, a majority are more likely to suffer from disability and chronic conditions.
St. Michael’s Hospital Researcher, Doctor Arlene Bierman, says the new study on women’s health shows low income women have more chronic conditions, greater disability and a shorter life expectancy than women in high-income groups.
Doctor Bierman tells Bayshore Broadcasting News women with less education and low income experienced the greatest burden of illness compared to women and men with a higher income.
One other surprising stat shows life expectancy was shorter for low income men and women.
41 percent of men and 26 percent of women with a low income were likely to die by the age of 75, but for those with higher income only 28 percent of men and 19 percent of women died by reaching 75.
In the Southwest LHIN — which includes Grey, Bruce, Huron and Perth Counties — Doctor Bierman says 2 things stand out:
More people were likely to smoke and more were overweight or obese compared to the Ontario average.
The study also showed people living in rural areast in the north, were more likely to suffer from arthritis.