The monitoring of diseases and health behaviors is analyzed from various perspectives to support prevention policies and promote good health for everyone. Although women outnumber men and live longer than men—including without disability—they perceive themselves to be in poorer health, and inequalities persist. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Santé publique France highlights several findings from this research, underscoring the importance of taking action to reduce health inequalities between men and women.

Generally healthier lifestyles among women

Daily smoking

According to data from the 2022 Health Barometer, the prevalence of daily smoking was 22% among women and 27% among men. The differences between women and men are most pronounced among those aged 25–34 and 35–44: 26% of women aged 25–34 smoke daily, compared to 36% of men (27% vs. 35% among those aged 35–44). Conversely, among those aged 18–24 and 65–75, the prevalence of daily smoking is similar (a difference of only 1 to 2 percentage points in 2021). Thus, the gap in daily smoking between men and women, which stood at around 8 percentage points between 2000 and 2014, has now been between 5 and 7 percentage points since 2016.

Alcohol consumption

Although it remains high, alcohol consumption has declined in France in recent decades, and drinking patterns have changed significantly. As with smoking, women consume less alcohol regardless of the indicator considered. Fewer women report drinking weekly (28% vs. 50.5%) or daily (4% vs. 13%), and fewer have consumed beyond the guidelines for lower-risk drinking in the past week (14% vs. 31%).

The differences in consumption between men and women remain very significant, but it is worth noting the slight upward trend in heavy episodic drinking (HED within the year or each month; HED is defined as drinking 6 or more drinks on a single occasion) among women, which tends to bring them closer to men’s levels, where stability is observed. These trends are particularly evident among women aged 35 and older.

Diet and Physical Activity

Regarding dietary habits, the 2014–2015 Esteban survey reports that women’s dietary intake is more often in line with nutritional recommendations than men’s, particularly regarding whole grain products (43% vs. 34%), dairy products (30% vs. 24%), meat other than poultry (76% vs. 59%), processed meats (43% vs. 30%), as well as sugary drinks (76% vs. 68%) and salt (30% vs. 12%). In contrast, women report consuming more sugary products (64% vs. 54%) and are less likely to meet the recommendations of 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day (42% vs. 68%).

Despite reporting better lifestyle habits, women perceive themselves to be in poorer health than men. According to data from the 2021 Public Health France Barometer, on average, among people aged 15–85, 65% of women consider themselves to be in good or very good health, compared to 71% of men. These differences are particularly pronounced at certain ages, such as among those aged 25–34 (74% of men vs. 82% of men).

The workplace is more often an environment that is detrimental to women’s mental and physical health

Although women account for nearly 49% of the workforce, disparities persist in terms of employment, working conditions, and the impact of work on health. According to findings from Santé publique France, more than 11% of employed women are affected by a work-related illness. Work-related mental distress (WRMD) is twice as high among women as among men: 6% vs. 3%. Among women, the risk of WRMD was higher in the transportation and warehousing, construction, and manufacturing sectors. These sectors are often characterized by a gendered division of labor, with men predominating in technical, manual, or managerial roles, while women tend to hold so-called tertiary sector jobs involving administrative tasks such as customer service or human resources management—professions known to be more frequently associated with WPS.

Furthermore, 3 out of 5 women report pain related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). According to self-reported data from the 2021 Health Barometer, nearly 60% of women aged 18 to 64 report MSDs in the back or upper limbs (vs. 51% among men). Specifically, nearly 50% of women report lower back pain or sciatica (vs. 40% of men) and 30% report MSDs in the upper limbs (shoulder, elbow, carpal tunnel) (vs. 27% of men).

Gender disparities are most often unfavorable in the intimate sphere

According to data from the 2016 Health Barometer, sexuality remains deeply shaped by gender relations, even though significant changes have emerged over the past decade. From first sexual encounters through to old age, the accounts given by women and men remain very different and reveal that female sexuality is more often coerced: 19% of women aged 18–69 reported having experienced forced sex or attempted forced sex during their lifetime, compared to 5% of men.