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Demystified: Why men die earlier than women

Historically, women have consistently lived longer than their male counterparts. In 2021, the average life expectancy was 73.2 years for men and 79.1 years for women. Some causes for this disparity include behaviour, genetics, and lack of preventive care.

According to Dr George Kipa, Managing Director and Deputy Chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, here are the largest contributing factors to male mortality, and what men could do to add years to their lives.

Some of the findings are; that the leading cause of death for both men and women is heart disease. Men tend to develop it earlier in life and are 50 per cent more likely to die from it. This can be due to excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as stress, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.

At the same time, higher suicide rates and this is due to stigma surrounding treatment, mental health issues continuing to affect the male population disproportionately. Men die by suicide three times more often than women.

Another issue as reported by the expert is that the issue of infrequent doctor’s visits is a problem. Men are less likely to attend routine doctor’s visits to receive recommended health screenings. Some subscribe to old-fashioned beliefs that enforce self-sufficiency and denounce social support. Many are also conditioned to be dismissive of any physical or emotional pain.

Occupational hazards are also a key factor with Men 10 times more likely than women to be killed at work. Of the top 25 most dangerous jobs in the world, men overwhelmingly dominate each field. These positions include fire fighters, construction labourers, machine operators, and maintenance and repair workers.

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Additionally, poor diet and exercise is an area of concern. A nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise is crucial to maintaining optimal health. Both have been proven to reduce the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Yet, men are 50 per cent less likely than women to maintain a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables.

Dr Kipa suggests actively monitoring one’s health can stop serious problems before they begin. “It is important to practice healthy habits and take advantage of preventive care,” he says.

He adds that by implementing a few changes such as de-stigmatizing mental health, eating better and moving more, and having regular doctor’s visits; men could largely live longer and healthier lives.

 

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