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Matriliny reverses gender disparities in inflammation and hypertension among the Mosuo of China.

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Title: Matriliny reverses gender disparities in inflammation and hypertension among the Mosuo of China.
Authors: Reynolds, Adam Z.1 adamzreynolds@unm.edu, Wander, Katherine2, Chun-Yi Sum3, Mingjie Su4, Thompson, Melissa Emery1, Hooper, Paul L.1, Hui Li4, Shenk, Mary K.5, Starkweather, Kathrine E.1, Blumenfield, Tami1,6, Mattison, Siobh 'an M.1 smattison@unm.edu
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 12/1/2020, Vol. 117 Issue 48, p1-4. 4p.
Subjects: Gender, Health equity, Women's health, Hypertension
Geographic Terms: China
Abstract: Women experience higher morbidity than men, despite living longer. This is often attributed to biological differences between the sexes; however, the majority of societies in which these disparities are observed exhibit gender norms that favor men. We tested the hypothesis that female-biased gender norms ameliorate gender disparities in health by comparing gender differences in inflammation and hypertension among the matrilineal and patrilineal Mosuo of China. Widely reported gender disparities in health were reversed among matrilineal Mosuo compared with patrilineal Mosuo, due to substantial improvements in women's health, with no concomitant detrimental effects on men. These findings offer evidence that gender norms limiting women's autonomy and biasing inheritance toward men adversely affect the health of women, increasing women's risk for chronic diseases with tremendous global health impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Women experience higher morbidity than men, despite living longer. This is often attributed to biological differences between the sexes; however, the majority of societies in which these disparities are observed exhibit gender norms that favor men. We tested the hypothesis that female-biased gender norms ameliorate gender disparities in health by comparing gender differences in inflammation and hypertension among the matrilineal and patrilineal Mosuo of China. Widely reported gender disparities in health were reversed among matrilineal Mosuo compared with patrilineal Mosuo, due to substantial improvements in women's health, with no concomitant detrimental effects on men. These findings offer evidence that gender norms limiting women's autonomy and biasing inheritance toward men adversely affect the health of women, increasing women's risk for chronic diseases with tremendous global health impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00278424
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2014403117