Have you ever noticed that women tend to live longer than men? It’s a well-known fact, but have you ever wondered why? In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind this gender gap in lifespan and what social factors may be contributing to this phenomenon.
Biology plays a significant role in health. Estrogen, the female sex hormone, provides protection against cardiovascular diseases and is partly responsible for the lower incidence of such diseases among women before menopause. On the other hand, testosterone, the male sex hormone, is present at higher levels in men and is linked with a higher likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
Women generally tend to be more health-conscious and have a greater awareness of physical and mental symptoms than men. They are also more likely to communicate their health problems or needs effectively. On the other hand, men are often less likely to seek medical attention when they experience symptoms, complete a course of treatment, undergo routine health checks, and follow recommended screening tests. However, by failing to do so, they may be putting themselves at greater risk for negative health outcomes.
Females have a stronger immune system and produce more antibodies compared to males, which may help them live longer and avoid diseases.
The report underscores the contrast in men and women’s sources of death – some are biological in nature, while others are influenced by environmental and societal factors, and some are affected by the accessibility and uptake of health services.
Out of the top 40 causes of death, 33 contribute more to men’s reduced life expectancy than women’s. In 2016, the likelihood of a 30-year-old man dying from a noncommunicable disease before reaching 70 years of age was 44% higher than that of a woman.
Globally, suicide mortality rates in men were 75% higher than in women in 2016, whereas death rates from road accidents were more than twice as high in men than in women from age 15. Additionally, men’s mortality rates due to homicide were four times higher than women’s.
