Risky business: explaining the gender gap in longevity

Abstract

Background Women outlive men in all but the poorest and most unequal of countries, despite recent increases in male life expectancy that have exceeded those amongst women. This study identifies sources of disparity in longevity between sexes. Methods Canadian data on age and cause of all deaths recorded in 1999 are grouped and analyzed to identify sex differences in mortality. Results The overall ratio of male to female deaths (1.09 to 1) varies across ages, from a maximum of 2.6 male for every 1 female death between ages 15 and 29 years, to a minimum of 0.80 to 1 amongst those over 74 years old. The source of greatest disadvantage for men under age 45 years is behaviours attributable to gender. Accidents, injuries, and suicides account for the majority of the male mortality excess in this group, and for more male than female deaths amongst all but the most elderly. Before age 60 years, risk-taking behaviour claims more male lives than does circulatory disease. Conclusions Data presented show the significance of gender as a determinant of longevity, and suggest the value of interventions to ameliorate this effect.