Women endowed by nature with better immunity than men, say experts

Men have been found to be more susceptible to succumbing to COVID-19 than women, primarily due to a weaker immune response and higher prevalence of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Health experts suggest that women are “endowed by nature” with stronger immunity, contributing to better outcomes.

Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare revealed that 69% of COVID-19 deaths in India were reported among men, while only 31% occurred among women. These findings align with a study published in Nature, which highlights that women exhibit a more robust immune response than men. The study noted that female patients demonstrated significantly stronger T-cell activation, a critical component of the immune system, even in older age.

T-cells play a vital role in identifying and destroying viruses, as well as retaining memory to combat future infections. The study also found that in male patients, a weaker immune response was associated with worse disease outcomes, a pattern not observed in women.

This observed sex disparity in COVID-19 outcomes underscores the need for a gender-specific approach to treatment and care. Behavioral factors further exacerbate the vulnerability of men. According to K. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity not only suppress immunity but also contribute to comorbidities like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, all of which are more common among men.

Professor Reddy emphasized that women’s bodies are naturally equipped to fight pathogens, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, when hormones enhance immune mechanisms. Additionally, the age-related decline in T-cell function is slower and less pronounced in women compared to men.

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While discussing the potential for different treatment approaches for men, Reddy noted that there is currently insufficient evidence on how immunomodulators might work differently across genders. However, ongoing clinical trials using such drugs may offer insights into sex-specific responses.

Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, an Internal Medicine expert at Delhi’s Ujala Cygnus Orthocare Hospital, supported these findings, pointing out that higher smoking rates among men lead to compromised lung health and chronic lung diseases, which further worsen COVID-19 outcomes.

Despite the relatively lower death rate among women, Dr. Jugal Kishore, Head of Community Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, highlighted a concerning issue: many women in India suffer from anemia and malnutrition. Furthermore, a significant number of women do not seek medical care, and their deaths may go unreported, skewing the data.

These insights collectively point to the complex interplay of biological, behavioral, and social factors that contribute to the disparity in COVID-19 outcomes between men and women. Recognizing these differences is essential for developing more effective and equitable healthcare strategies.