The Gender Gap in COVID-19 Mortality in the United States

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    This study examines population-weighted, sex- and age-disaggregated official COVID-19 mortality data (as of July 25, 2020) from the United States to understand gender gaps (men–women) across age. The analysis yields three key findings: (1) all age groups report about 8 percentage points more deaths among men than women; (2) non-elderly adults (<65 years) have a larger gender gap in reported mortality than elderly (&#8805;65 years) adults; and (3) the gender gap in reported mortality varies across states, with thirteen states reporting more deaths among women than men. Women’s lack of access to healthcare and a state’s healthcare capacity have a significant correlation with the gender gap in reported mortality for both non-elderly and elderly adults. The findings underscore the possible presence of an underreporting bias against women in the officially reported COVID-19 death tolls in the US.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)30-47
    JournalFeminist Economics
    Volume27
    Issue number1-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2020

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