As I approach my 50th go around the sun naturally I started thinking about one's own mortality. And I started doing some research and to my huge surprise, I discovered that my gorgeous man is likely to die almost 5 years before me. Scary stuff if you know the stats. I knew that, on average, women live longer than men. In fact, 57% of all those ages 65 and older are female. By age 85, 67% are women. The average lifespan is about 7 years longer worldwide. In the UK, life expectancy at birth in 2020 to 2022 was estimated to be: in England, 78.8 years for males and 82.8 years for females. in Scotland, 76.5 years for males and 80.7 years for females. in Wales, 77.9 years for males and 81.8 years for females.

It’s not hard to see the gender gap among the elderly. A glance around most nursing homes or assisted living facilities in the U.S. often tells the story: women will usually outnumber men, and the magnitude of the difference is often striking. I’m also told that when a man moves into a residential setting dominated by the geriatric set, he tends to be popular; and that’s especially true if he still drives.

The reality is that statistically, men die at an earlier age than women. The irony is that their choices contributed to this. Hence the need for Men’s Health Month every June, created to encourage early detection and treatment of common health issues.  

According to the Movember charity, men's health in the UK is worse than in many other wealthy countries, with two in five men dying prematurely and often from completely avoidable causes. Men are significantly less likely than women to see a doctor, and even when something is seriously wrong, they might wait more than a week before going. Men tend to avoid check-ups, with less than 40% taking up the offer of an NHS health check available to them from the age of 40. It may help for men to realise that their health issues also impact their spouses, children, parents, siblings, and friends. 

Men’s unique health concerns: When it comes to the primary health concerns for men, the same old culprits keep rearing their heads.

Physical Health:

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of health problems among men, with heart attacks and strokes being the most common. As much as 75% of premature deaths from heart disease are male. Family history may be a factor, but prevention includes regular monitoring of cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as the pursuit of healthy lifestyle choices in terms of exercise, diet, drinking, and smoking.

Cancer remains prevalent, with testicular cancer being common among men aged 25 to 45. However, prostate cancer remains the most common form of cancer among men. Again, family history is a factor, but while there is no way to prevent such cancers, early detection can result in successful treatment. 

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. Type 1 diabetes is where the body’s immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin. The latter is the more common type, and it is also more common among men than women. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are often associated with diabetes, potentially leading to more serious complications. 

Practical steps to increase the odds of prevention:

Exercise: Not everyone enjoys exercise, but in this age of addiction to screen time, men would do well to identify some form of activity that they enjoy enough to do regularly, whether it takes the form of some informal activity like walking or dancing, or whether it is a more formal pastime like going to the gym or joining a sports club. Making sure that this exercise is part of a weekly routine will help ensure that it happens all by itself, offering not only health benefits but also mood enhancement.

Diet: Men are not good at planning meals and diets, and they are often prone to buying fast food for convenience. Making time to do some kind of simple meal plan aimed at including more veggies, fruits, and nuts, with an emphasis on low fats and fibre, can make all the difference to their well-being and longevity.

Alcohol and Tobacco: In moderation, drinking and smoking are not bad in themselves, but unfortunately men are known to be the worst at overindulging. Setting limits, or even cutting out these indulgences altogether, can have immediate health benefits that have a compound effect. Finding someone to join you in this challenge will increase the chance of success.

Checkups: A visit to a GP can serve the same role as the warning lights on a car’s dashboard. They know what to look out for. Early detection can steer a person away from health disasters and put them on the right path to recovery and health.

Mental Health:

First-world countries have never had the kind of access to resources that exist today, yet the levels of anxiety, stress, and depression appear to be on the constant rise. When their levels begin to exceed what anyone can cope with, their mental health is under threat. In the case of men, it does not help that they are particularly reluctant to admit to mental health issues. Because of the lingering archaic stereotype of masculinity, men are afraid to risk the perception of weakness.  

Practical steps to increase the odds of prevention: 

Some things go without saying: Exercise increases endorphins. Seeking counselling alleviates burdens as problems shared with a professional can become more manageable. Prescribed medicines can address specific symptoms that may be debilitating. 

Some things need to be considered: Identifying stress and anxiety triggers can help create coping strategies. Identifying and then doing activities that make you feel positive about yourself, like a hobby or helping others, can help feed self-esteem and well-being. Avoiding unhealthy coping mechanisms, like drinking or gambling, and replacing them with something is a healthier choice.

The Kicker:

On average, married men and women live two years longer than their unmarried counterparts. One reason for this longevity benefit is the influence of marital partners on healthy behaviours. Study after study shows that married people eat better and are less likely to smoke and drink excessively. Another reason is the benefit of having a safe space for discussing intimate concerns. So there you go. Men who are in a committed relationship stand a better chance of enjoying better health. So let's hope our love story continues way into the future...it's good for us both!