A new study has found that single, unmarried men are more likely to contract the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and die from the virus.
Findings from the study at Stockholm University published at Nature Communications reveal that single men, as well as those who have lower income, lower level of education, and being born in low to middle income countries elevate the risks of dying from the viral disease.
RELATED STORY: Men more likely to contract COVID-19 compared to women
“We can show that there are independent effects of various separate risk factors that have been brought up in debates and news about COVID-19. All of these factors are accordingly individually associated with a strongly elevated risk of dying from COVID-19,” said Sven Drefahl, Associate Professor of Demography at Stockholm University Demography Unit in the Department of Sociology, who is also the main author of the study.
Gunnar Andersson, a professor of demography at Stockholm University, furthers that it is the lifestyle of men that contribute towards the increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
READ ON: Studies reveal obesity increases risks of COVID-19-related deaths by 48%
“Men generally have higher mortality at comparable ages, which is considered to be due to a combination of biology and lifestyle. The fact that people with little education or a low income have higher mortality may largely be due to lifestyle factors including finances –how much one can afford to prioritize one’s health. Similarly, we can explain the elevated mortality from COVID-19 for these groups,” said Andersson.
The study looked into all registered deaths from the coronavirus disease in Sweden who are 20 and above until May 7, 2020. Researchers analyzed the data together with information from Statistics Sweden which highlighted each of the deceased’s city of residence, country of birth, level of education, income, marital status, and age.
