Therefore, researchers believe that more men die in covid-19

Anna and Dani Schuchman are a young and active couple from London.

In March 2020, they both suffered from covid-19 at the same time, but their bodies reacted very differently to the virus.

- While Anna recovered, I got worse and worse, says Dani Schuchman who ended up on a respirator with severe shortness of breath.

According to the British research initiative Global Health 50/50, men are hit harder than women by covid-19 around the world.

Twice as many need intensive care and 30 percent more die from the virus.

The answer may be in the X chromosome

There can be many reasons why more men than women die in covid-19.

Differences in behavior and environment are believed to have an impact, but also genetic differences between the sexes. 

"Many genes, over 60, that are important for the immune system are found on the X chromosome," says Sabra Klein, professor of immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States.

Two X chromosomes involve more genetic information and act as a booster for women's immune systems.

See more about how our gender affiliation can affect health in the world of Science -