Fatshimetrie: Disparity in life expectancy between men and women in different countries in 2022
In the global health landscape, life expectancy is a key indicator, revealing significant disparities between men and women. Looking at recent figures from different countries, we see a troubling trend where men generally have a lower life expectancy than women. This disparity is a complex phenomenon, influenced by multiple and interconnected factors.
Take the example of Nigeria, where life expectancy at birth has seen a remarkable increase over the past two decades. In 2021, it reached 63.4 years, almost 10 years more than in previous years. However, a worrying observation persists: the average life expectancy of Nigerian men remains significantly lower than that of women, standing at 52.68 years. This trend is not unique to Nigeria, but is also seen in developed countries like Germany and the United States.
In Germany, for example, men had an average life expectancy of just over 78 years in 2022, while women reached an average of 82.8 years. Similarly, in the United States, the gap widened in 2021, suggesting a worrying difference of 5.8 years, with an average life expectancy of 79 years for women compared to 73 years for men. This is the largest gap since 1996.
Several factors contribute to this worrying trend in men’s health. First, suicide rates remain higher among men, accounting for a disproportionate number of premature deaths. Men are also more affected by cardiovascular diseases due to various risky behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and an unbalanced diet.
Furthermore, men often work in dangerous jobs, exposed to high risks in the workplace. Jobs in construction, maintenance, machine operations and even firefighters are mainly occupied by men, exposing them to potentially fatal dangers.
Lack of attention to preventive health is also a major problem among men. They are less likely to follow healthy diets and exercise regularly, which impacts their long-term health. Regular medical checkups are often neglected by men, leading to late diagnosis of potentially serious illnesses.
Thus, it is imperative to raise awareness and encourage men to proactively take care of their health. Promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing risky behaviors, facilitating access to mental health services and raising awareness of the importance of regular health check-ups can help reduce the gap in life expectancy between men and women. Ultimately, it is essential to put in place initiatives to improve the overall health of men and promote a fairer balance in life expectancy.