AUTHOR=Sant Fruchtman Carmen , Fischer Fabienne Beatrice , Monzón Llamas Laura , Tavakkoli Maryam , Cobos Muñoz Daniel , Antillon Marina 

TITLE=Did COVID-19 Policies Have the Same Effect on COVID-19 Incidence Among Women and Men? Evidence From Spain and Switzerland

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 67 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604994

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604994

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objective: This study aimed to understand how COVID-19 prevention policies influenced the incidence in men and in women.  
Methods: We took a time-series of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the Spanish epidemiology surveillance site data to explore sex dynamics in cases, testing and deaths. We contextualised this data with information on containment measures and other relevant policies.
Results: women of working age (range 20-65 years old) have a higher case burden compared to men of the same age. The imbalance reverses among retired age groups (above 65). The sex disparity was strongest during the first wave, which was characterised by a tougher shutdown in both countries, than during the second wave. These findings indicate a different effect of COVID-19 public health policies on men and women. 
Conclusion: This analysis highlights the influence of gender norms and sex differences on the progression of the pandemic. Further studies will need to explore the differential effect of COVID-19 policies on the incidence across population groups.