Why Do Men Live Shorter Lives Than Women?

Nov 17, 2023, 10:07 IST

Mukul Sharma

Widest Life Expectancy Gap

The gap in life expectancy between men and women in the United States has grown to its widest in nearly 30 years.

Average Life Expectancy

As per new research, women are likely to live about six years longer than American men, with the average life expectancy standing at 73.5 years for men and 79.3 years for women. Here's why men live shorter lives.

Smoking

More men engage in smoking and thus develop some form of cardiovascular disease or lung cancer, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Opioid overdose

Opioid overdose death rates are more than twice as high for men.

Lifestyle factors

Men are more likely to work in industries with higher rates of pathogenic exposure and fatalities, including transportation, agriculture and construction, or to experience incarceration or homelessness, according to research.

Unintentional injuries

The study notes that unintentional injuries, including accidental drug overdoses, are the biggest reason for men passing away at a younger age.

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