[Sex differences in health and health behavior]

The higher life expectancy of women is contrasting with the higher female morbidity known from health interview surveys and statistics on use of health services. In the Swiss Health Survey SOMIPOPS, women report higher rates of complaints, diagnoses, chronical impairments and psychic illness, more frequent restrictions of their daily activities for health reasons and a worse overall health status. In men, only higher rates of indicators related to respiratory diseases and accidents were found. On the other hand, women have a stronger health orientation in daily life habits, seem to differ from men in health perception, are more willing to treat symptoms and use health services more often for preventive reasons. Comparison of survey and examination data reveal a different health perception and a higher female willingness to treat symptoms. The question is arised whether the different health behaviour have long-term effects, especially on life-expectancy.