Geographical variation exists in the sex
difference in longevity and the use of medical
resources, both of which are still increasing
and are of concern medically. To study the
relationship between life expectancy and
measures of medical services in the elderly in
Japan, we compared them by prefecture using
data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and
Welfare. We found that the prevalence of
hospitalization correlated with women's life
 

expectancy (r= .483, p<0.05) but not with
men's, and consequently with the sex difference
in life expectancy (r= .669, p<0.001).
Furthermore, sex difference in life expectancy as
well as women's life expectancy positively
correlated with the duration of hospital, total
medical expenditure and expenditure for
admission to hospital and health service facilities
for the elderly. These results imply a sex-specific
effect of hospitalization on longevity or a sexspecific burden on medical financing..