Women are more likely than men to put off going to the doctor or dentist because of the cost, University of Otago research shows.
This was despite women suffering from more chronic conditions than men.
The research showed 19.9% of women and 11.4% of men deferred a doctor visit due to cost.
Cost meant a dentist visit was deferred by 26.4% of women, and 18.5% of men.
Women were also more likely to put off picking up a prescription, 8.2% compared with 4.2% of men.
The study, by Prof Peter Crampton and Dr Santosh Jatrana, looked at 18,320 adults who took part in a Statistics New Zealand health survey in 2004-05.
Prof Crampton said despite the data being old, the pattern would be much the same, possibly exacerbated by the recession.
"The results of this study are of concern not just because women are not accessing care when they need it, but also because women are frequently responsible for ensuring that children and elders also receive care," Prof Crampton said in a press release.
The research highlighted the importance of gender in health inequalities, particularly for women with less money than men, Prof Crampton said.
Providing free or very low-cost health care would help, otherwise women remained at risk of not receiving timely healthcare.
More detailed studies were needed to determine the precise reasons behind the gender differences in deferral of healthcare because of cost.
Knox Dental office manager Sacha Taylor said it was the "exact opposite" in the Dunedin dental practice.
Women were more likely to have check-ups and follow-up treatments, and were less likely than men to complain about cost.
As an example, she said of a dozen patients scheduled yesterday, eight were women, and four were men.
Ms Taylor said the practice had a high number of students, most of whom were not particularly well off, and the women were much more likely to book regular check-ups.
Mornington Health Centre chronic care nurse Anna Askerud believed women put others before themselves. It was an issue of gender disparity, she said.
"This study was done in 2004/2005 pre the economic recession - I would imagine that the statistics will be even worse now."
The practice had seen an increase in people booking their children in for a free appointment, and using it to discuss their own health concerns.
Mornington offered free appointments for those under 18.
"Although this puts the GPs in a very awkward position, they are usually very understanding as they realise that this is because of people's financial constraints, and the need to access healthcare however they can."
