.jpg)
By Jayden Branam
On average, women live longer than men. In 2021, there was a 5-year gap in global life expectancy. This gap is visible. Take a look around your local nursing home. You will likely find that amongst the elders, women outnumber men. A variety of factors can account for this gap.
Starting by looking at the workforce, men often pursue more dangerous fields than women. High-risk jobs such as construction, military, mining, farming, and fire-fighting are all male-dominated careers. These jobs are physically demanding and may result in life-threatening accidents.
Looking at the differing life expectancies from a biological standpoint, the frontal lobe of the brain develops at a slower rate in boys and young men. This part of the brain dictates a person's judgment. This could potentially be the reason that far more men partake in smoking, drinking, driving drunk, and homicide. Furthermore, men are more susceptible to dying of heart disease. Lower estrogen levels, poorly treated high blood pressure, and increased cholesterol may account for this fact. Despite the increased risk of men dying from heart disease, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that men are more likely to skip routine health screenings and visit the doctor throughout the year.
Stigmatized societal views of men's mental health may also be a factor in shortened life expectancy for men. In the U.S. suicide is four times more common among males. Men are less likely to seek support for mental health issues and more likely to partake in fatal suicide attempts. Moreover, men are often less socially connected. This lack of social connection may increase isolated feelings among men and enhance feelings of depression.
In the forthcoming years, the life expectancy gap between men and women will hopefully shrink. As a collective, we must work to destigmatize men's mental health and encourage men to pursue jobs in a variety of fields. By doing so, not only can we increase the longevity of men, but also create a society that is more inclusive and accepting for all.
Comments