The fact that men live less than women has long been no secret to anyone. And it looks like this trend will continue: according to the World Health Organization, the average man born in 2019 will live 69,8 years, and a woman – 74,2 years. But why? Where does this difference of 4,4 years come from? Biopsychologist Sebastian Ocklenburg explains.
fatal factors
Let’s start with the main thing: WHO does not indicate either the only, or even the main reason for such a significant difference in life expectancy. Instead, the organization’s report presents three factors contributing to higher death rates among men than among women:
- heart diseases,
- injuries due to traffic accidents,
- lungs’ cancer.
And some reasons are directly related to psychological characteristics or mental health, says Ocklenburg.
For example, road traffic injuries result in a 0,47 year reduction in life expectancy for men compared to women. This can be partly explained by the fact that more men work in the transport industry, but on the other hand – and this has been empirically proven – men are more likely to drive aggressively, putting themselves and others at risk.
An analysis of studies of gender differences in driving behavior showed that men are more likely to drive drunk, show aggression, and react to road accidents too late (compared to women).
Under the degree
Take another common cause of death – cirrhosis of the liver. It caused a decrease in life expectancy in men by 0,27 years compared to women. Although it is a physical illness, one of its main causes is a drinking disorder. Drawing on data from the United States, Sebastian Ocklenburg emphasizes that alcohol consumption statistics vary greatly by gender.
As for our country, Russia entered the top three countries leading in terms of mortality due to alcohol. In Russia, 2016 women and 43 men died due to alcohol abuse in 180 alone.1. Why do men drink more? Firstly, the matter is in the usual way of socialization and in the fact that among men the ability to drink alcohol in large quantities is valued. Secondly, the later maturation of certain areas of the brain is probably to blame. Finally, lower sensitivity to alcohol should not be discounted.
violent deaths
Interpersonal violence leads to a decrease in life expectancy for men by 0,21 years compared to women. Men are four times more likely to die from homicide, according to a WHO report. Women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, with about one in five murders committed by a partner or family member (although men are much more likely to kill other men on the streets).
Based on data from another study, Ocklenburg believes that this is likely due to higher levels of physical aggression and violence in men.
The dire consequences of gender stereotypes
Another factor that, according to WHO, contributes to gender differences in mortality is self-harm: although women have more thoughts about suicide and they make more attempts, in fact, it is men who kill themselves more often (on average 1,75 times).
The exact reasons for the huge gender gap in suicide rates are not fully understood, Ocklenburg comments: “One of the key factors that psychiatric research has identified is that society imposes too strict requirements on men. In many cultures, there is still an unspoken social prohibition against expressing negative emotions and contacting a psychotherapist, even when suicidal thoughts or depression appear. In addition, the widespread “self-medication” with alcohol can significantly worsen a man’s condition.”
Although physical diseases are still the main causes of gender differences in mortality, mental health problems also lead to a reduction in life expectancy for men. That is why it is so important to encourage them to seek support and professional help in the field of mental health.
1. “Russia has entered the top three in terms of alcohol-related deaths.” Olga Solovieva, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 05.09.2018/XNUMX/XNUMX.
About the Expert: Sebastian Ocklenburg is a biopsychologist.