What explain the increase in gender gap in the prevalence of chronic diseases among elderly in India?

Women in most societies and economies are at a higher risk of suffering from chronic illness and besides the types of health problems encountered by them also differ substantially from men particularly at old age. Nationally representative unit level data on morbidity and healthcare for the periods from NSS 60th (2004-05) and NSS 52nd (1995-96) are being used to examine the gender differences in health status among elderly persons in India. By decomposition of gender gap in prevalence of chronic diseases in the two surveys into place of residence, monthly per capita expenditure tertiles (MPCE) and education attainment, it is found that not only the prevalence of chronic diseases among elderly has increased almost three times, but also the gender gap has widened regardless of place of residence. Though the pace at which prevalence of chronic diseases has increased over time are same in both sectors, the level remains high throughout the time in urban than in rural. Of the total increase in gender gap in prevalence of chronic diseases contribution of rural areas is 65 percent and the rest 35 percent by urban area. The main contribution in the increase in gender gap in both the areas is from of literates and rich MPCE Tertile