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Men may be catching up in lifespan—the life-expectancy gap between men and women has shrunk to 5.2 years, the narrowest since 1946—but men still need to pay more attention to their health. Why?
Compared to women, men are more likely to:
- Smoke and drink more, and generally lead less healthy lifestyles
- Put off routine checkups and even ignore symptoms of a health problem
- Join in fearless, risky, and dangerous behaviors
Women—this message is for you!
Did you know that women play an important role in the health care of men through education and awareness? Men often learn about health from wives, girlfriends, and/or mothers, while women tend to get health information from doctors, the television, the Internet, and printed materials. Although men need to take charge of their own health, you can help the men in your life get started by raising awareness about men’s health. This site is a great place to start!
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Compared to working-aged women, working-aged men are less likely to have:
- A regular doctor
- Health insurance
The good news is that many of the diseases and health conditions that men face can be prevented—or treated if they are found early. To start taking better care of your health, learn about your risk factors. Risk factors are things in your life that increase your chances of getting a certain disease. Some risk factors you cannot change, such as your age or family history. But many are in your control. Find out what you can do to lower your risk factors and improve your overall health. Next, find out how often you should see a doctor for routine checkups and what screenings, tests, and vaccines you might need. By taking these steps, you will feel good knowing you are doing all you can to take charge of your health.
Additional Resources
Content last updated July 17, 2008.
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