Men's health

Men are more likely than women to develop serious health problems, and their death rates are higher too.

Men tend to die younger#

Men die in greater numbers than women from almost every health problem that is not specific to one sex. Broadly, for every 2 women who die, about 3 men die. This pattern even holds among children: in deaths from accidents or drowning, boys account for roughly 2 out of 3.

Compared with women, men tend to visit the doctor less often, have shorter visits, and only seek help once an illness is already advanced.

Some causes of death are sex-specific#

A few causes of death are tied directly to biology. A man cannot die during childbirth, because only women carry babies. Likewise, a woman cannot die from prostate cancer, because only men have a prostate gland.

For many other, non-sex-specific causes, however, men outnumber women among the deaths.

Why might women be healthier than men?#

It is widely observed that women, on average, stay healthier than men. Several theories try to explain this difference.

Patterns in health care use#

Some argue that health systems are more oriented toward the needs of women and children. The way many clinics are set up can subtly signal that men are less expected to attend.

Practical barriers also play a part:

• Men are more likely to work full-time, and clinic hours often overlap with the working day, making appointments harder to keep. (This is, of course, also true for women in full-time work.)
• Some men, particularly older men, prefer to see a male doctor for intimate or embarrassing issues, while their regular doctor may be a woman.
• Women are more likely to have regular contact with doctors because of reproductive matters such as menstrual periods, contraception and pregnancy. Men often have no comparable routine reason to see a doctor.

Ideas about masculinity#

Men are often encouraged to take on high-risk work that can be stressful and dangerous, and culture frequently rewards toughness and independence. Some men may feel that seeing a doctor or admitting to feeling unwell threatens their sense of masculinity.

In many societies men are less inclined than women to take an active role in maintaining their health, and less likely to seek professional help, especially for mental health and wellbeing. When strength is treated as central to being a man, asking for help can feel like weakness. Younger men in particular may act as though they are invulnerable, which can lead to harmful behaviours such as heavy drinking, drug use or reckless driving.

The masculinity theory suggests men might take better care of themselves if they let go of the “tough guy” role. Other researchers, though, caution that blaming cultural ideas of masculinity can be a way of avoiding deeper causes.

Social and economic factors#

Poor health may owe a great deal to the social environment in which men live. It is well documented around the world that poverty breeds disease, and many studies show a direct link between employment status and men’s health.

• A man’s sense of self can be closely tied to the role of breadwinner. Unlike women, men are less strongly encouraged to find self-worth in being a parent or homemaker.
• Unemployment puts great financial and emotional strain on a family, and a man who sees himself as the provider may feel weighed down by guilt and shame.
• Men without a trade who move from one unskilled job to another are more likely to feel devastated by spells of unemployment.

Men who feel in control of their lives are more likely to look after their health, while those who are unemployed often feel helpless.

Depression, alcohol and suicide#

Male depression is linked to a greater risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Men are likely to turn to destructive behaviours to cope with low mood, often trying to manage symptoms of depression with alcohol and other drugs, which only make the symptoms worse.

Depression is a known high-risk factor for suicide, and men of all ages die by suicide at a higher rate than women.

Some groups of men are at higher risk, including older men, men living in rural and remote areas, socially disadvantaged men, men with disabilities, men in prison, and gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Key points#

• A man cannot die during childbirth, because only women carry babies.
• A woman cannot die from prostate cancer, because only men have a prostate gland.
• Teenagers and the elderly are particularly at risk.
• Male depression is associated with an increased risk of health disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• Men often try to manage symptoms of depression by using alcohol and other drugs, which make the symptoms worse.

Where to get help#