Men have shorter life expectancy than women in most nations around the world. It is said that women outlive men at least ten years. In Australia, an average baby boy born in 2016 could expect to live to 80, while a baby girl born at the same time could expect to live until closer to 85.
All through the past 100 years, women have significantly outlived men. Below are some of the biological and behavioral factors that may partly explain why women live longer than men.
Criminal Activity
Throughout history and across all societies, men commit more crimes in virtually every crime category - mass shootings, acts of terrorism, killing innocent bystanders, rape, and homicides - according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. And, these men who live a life of crime may increase their risk of dying from the altercation, homicide, or other risky, unlawful venture.
Heart Diseases
Men are 50 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, according to a study published in the Harvard Heart Publications owing to the fact that men have lower estrogen levels than women, which protects them from heart disease for 10 to 15 years longer than men. However, other medical conditions, such as poorly treated high blood pressure or adverse cholesterol levels, maybe part of the reason as well. Chronic stress may also contribute to heart disease in men.
Riskier Lifestyle
Smoking, eating unhealthy food, and consuming alcohol to excess can contribute to increased blood pressure and heart diseases risk, which causes men to die, as they outnumber women when it comes to smoking and tobacco abuse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 40 percent of men smoke as compared to 9 percent of women.
Perilous Occupations
The top three most dangerous occupations - aircraft pilot, fishermen, logger, flight engineer positions are predominantly found to be held by men, which may also play a role in their reduced lifespan. Farmers, roofers, steelworkers, and structural iron followed.
Avoiding Doctors
A study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that men are far more likely to skip routine health checkups and far less likely to have seen a doctor than women. Even if diagnosed with the disease, men are more likely to non-adherent to treatment
Suppressed Immunity
A reason that may also contribute to the early risk of death in men is because of their compromised immunity. Women are born with longer telomeres, components at the end of chromosomes that act as an index of cell age and women are directly tied to the immune system. People born with longer telomeres tend to live longer and have better immunity.
By Sowmya Sangam
