What evidence is there that men and women enjoy different levels of health?

Life Expectancy compared

Causes of death compared

The Gender Divide - men Main cause of middle age male deaths are: Main cause of middle age male deaths are: Lung cancer Lung cancer Heart disease Heart disease Accidents Accidents Suicide Suicide More than a half of males overweight More than a half of males overweight

“Women live longer but suffer more health problems” Miles 1991 In 1997, the life expectancy for women was 5 years more than men. In 1997, the life expectancy for women was 5 years more than men. There are more male than female deaths in all age groups There are more male than female deaths in all age groups Twice as many 1-14 year old boys die in accidents and of violent causes than girls Twice as many 1-14 year old boys die in accidents and of violent causes than girls

Women’s health Women live longer but report more long standing illnesses than men Women live longer but report more long standing illnesses than men The most common cancer is breast cancer The most common cancer is breast cancer The major cause of death is lung cancer The major cause of death is lung cancer

Female Cancers One of the most worrying trends is the growth in female lung cancer deaths One of the most worrying trends is the growth in female lung cancer deaths Most recent trend is downwards however Most recent trend is downwards however

Why is there a gender gap? 1/3 of men smoke 1/3 of men smoke 1/3 men drink more than recommended amount 1/3 men drink more than recommended amount Less than ¼ men eat fresh fruit one a week Less than ¼ men eat fresh fruit one a week 90% of men said they rarely went to the doctor – ‘macho’ culture? 90% of men said they rarely went to the doctor – ‘macho’ culture?

Occupational hazards traditionally, men are more likely to work in more dangerous occupations traditionally, men are more likely to work in more dangerous occupations more likely to work dangerous machinery more likely to work dangerous machinery work at heights work at heights come into contact with harmful substances come into contact with harmful substances

Nature?? men are more violent than women men are more violent than women violence is one of the main causes of death among young males violence is one of the main causes of death among young males