Men’s health by the numbers - Do they add up to disaster?

Are men and women equal in terms of their health? The statistics paint a picture that’s cause for a pause.

To find out if you’re aware of just how grim the numbers are, take the following true-false test.

1. True or False? Men die younger than women.

2. True or False? Men are more likely to be overweight than women.

3. True or False? More men than women die of suicide.

4. True or False? Men are more likely than women to develop invasive cancer during their lifetimes.

5. True or False? Men are more likely to smoke.

6. True or False? Men are more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident.

7. True or False? Men are more likely to die of heart disease.

8. True or False? Men are more likely to drown.

(To view all answers at once click here.)
 
 

What are the reasons for these dramatic differences? According to a report on men's health from the New South Wales Department of Health in Australia (where the same trends are observed), one reason is that men are more likely to engage in health behaviors, such as smoking, that put their health at risk.

Another reason cited by the Australian report is that men generally don't take care of themselves in the same way that women do. Compared to women, men eat less fruit and more fat, for instance. They're also more likely to ignore health problems rather than see a doctor because some may think caring for health isn't "masculine."

The truth is, of course, that men who eat healthy food, exercise regularly and get prompt treatment for health problems have a better chance of staying strong and active than men who don't. To learn more about what men can do to ensure they live longer and feel better, please visit the Avenues to Health and Fitness page