Gender inequality analysis of noncommunicable disease risk factors in Mongolia
1
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
2
Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1329
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors remain a major public health burden in Mongolia.¹ Gender norms influence exposure to NCD risks differently for men and women, leading to unequal disease patterns.²-³ Mongolian men live approximately nine years fewer than women and experience higher premature mortality, while women bear a greater burden of disadvantaged health conditions.⁴ Socioeconomic factors further influence inequalities both between and within genders.⁵ Despite these disparities, national health policies largely remain gender-neutral in Mongolia. This study examines how sex intersects with key socioeconomic determinants to shape inequalities in major NCD risk factors in Mongolia.
METHODS:
This descriptive, sex-stratified secondary analysis used de-identified data from the 2019 WHO STEPS survey (6,497 adults) in Mongolia.⁶ An intersectional analysis⁷ was utilised to reveal inequalities. Behavioural (tobacco and alcohol use) and biological (overweight and raised blood pressure) risk factors were investigated. Age-standardised prevalence and absolute sex differences (percentage points [pp]) were estimated⁸ using a complex survey design.
RESULTS:
Overall, men had significantly higher prevalence of several NCD risk factors than women. Women were more likely to be overweight or obese, although sex differences were small. Intersectional analysis showed that alcohol use increased with income and education among both women and men; however, higher prevalence among men (17.5–27.6 pp) persisted across all groups. Reverse patterns in overweight were observed, with higher prevalence among low-income and low-educated women (11.0 and 10.7 pp higher, respectively) and a reversal among high-income and highly educated men (3.4 and 4.4 pp higher, respectively). Salt consumption differed by ethnicity, with Kazakh men and women and Buriad men consuming more than other groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study reveals nuanced and hidden gender inequalities in NCD risk factors shaped by intersecting socioeconomic factors. The findings highlight the need for targeted, gender-responsive health policies that address both between- and within-gender inequalities.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors remain a major public health burden in Mongolia.¹ Gender norms influence exposure to NCD risks differently for men and women, leading to unequal disease patterns.²-³ Mongolian men live approximately nine years fewer than women and experience higher premature mortality, while women bear a greater burden of disadvantaged health conditions.⁴ Socioeconomic factors further influence inequalities both between and within genders.⁵ Despite these disparities, national health policies largely remain gender-neutral in Mongolia. This study examines how sex intersects with key socioeconomic determinants to shape inequalities in major NCD risk factors in Mongolia.
METHODS:
This descriptive, sex-stratified secondary analysis used de-identified data from the 2019 WHO STEPS survey (6,497 adults) in Mongolia.⁶ An intersectional analysis⁷ was utilised to reveal inequalities. Behavioural (tobacco and alcohol use) and biological (overweight and raised blood pressure) risk factors were investigated. Age-standardised prevalence and absolute sex differences (percentage points [pp]) were estimated⁸ using a complex survey design.
RESULTS:
Overall, men had significantly higher prevalence of several NCD risk factors than women. Women were more likely to be overweight or obese, although sex differences were small. Intersectional analysis showed that alcohol use increased with income and education among both women and men; however, higher prevalence among men (17.5–27.6 pp) persisted across all groups. Reverse patterns in overweight were observed, with higher prevalence among low-income and low-educated women (11.0 and 10.7 pp higher, respectively) and a reversal among high-income and highly educated men (3.4 and 4.4 pp higher, respectively). Salt consumption differed by ethnicity, with Kazakh men and women and Buriad men consuming more than other groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study reveals nuanced and hidden gender inequalities in NCD risk factors shaped by intersecting socioeconomic factors. The findings highlight the need for targeted, gender-responsive health policies that address both between- and within-gender inequalities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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