On average, men in Germany die five years earlier than women. The difference in lifespan between the sexes is often blamed on biology. But things are not that simple.
Five years – that’s how long women in Germany live longer than men on average. Specifically, the latest statistics from the Federal Institute for Population Research assume that boys born in this year have an average life expectancy of 78.6 years and girls an average of 83.4 years. On the whole, men die much earlier than women. And this is by no means a German phenomenon, but runs through most countries on earth. But why is it like that?
There are many possible reasons for male mortality. The US researcher Kenneth Walsh from the University of Virginia recently focused more on the risk factor biology in this context. Together with a research team, the scientist was able to find out that the proven loss of the Y chromosome with increasing age can promote age-related diseases and damage the cardiovascular system.
To understand: Every human being has two sex chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome. Not only is the X chromosome larger than the other, it also doesn’t break down. As a result – so it is assumed – women already have genetically better prerequisites for a longer life. The sex-specific hormones are also said to have a similar influence, but there is no clear scientific evidence for this so far.
The important tenets of monastic study
So is biology to blame for the unfair distribution of lifespans between the sexes? That alone would probably be too easy. For example, it can hardly be denied that socialization and lifestyle also have a significant impact on life expectancy. The Viennese democracy researcher Marc Luy was able to prove with the so-called “monastery study” that the environment plays a major role in the question of how old we are.
For the meta-analysis, the Austrian looked at the data of almost 12,000 monks and nuns. The result: the monks not only lived longer than their male contemporaries outside the monastery, but also on average almost as long as the nuns. Instead of several years difference in lifespan, it was on average only one year that the women in the monastery lived longer than the men.
It is obvious that the standard of living of men, if they are not living in a monastery, also contributes to the fact that they die earlier on average than women. And innumerable statistics provide a rough insight into the diverse manifestations of this lifestyle: on average, men drink more alcohol, smoke more and eat less healthily. Overall, men are more inclined to risk than women. The reason for this is the interaction of the pushing hormone testosterone and the still widespread role model of the “strong man”.
The image of the strong man
This also has an impact on the health behavior of men. “It seems like a lot of men don’t actually go to the doctor until they have their head under their arm,” says Kai Meinig, mindfulness coach and meditation teacher at Headspace star. He himself only learned to listen to his body through a psychological crisis – and now he would like to bring this closer to other men (and women).
He keeps noticing how important this is: “Some men don’t even realize that they are suffering from depression, for example, because they are convinced that “something like that” can’t happen to them.” That could also be the reason why Men are less likely to have check-ups than women.The biggest gap is in cancer screening.In 2020, the statutory health insurance companies billed for 6.7 million check-ups for men – and more than 35 million for women.
From a purely statistical point of view, men have a greater need for precautionary and preventive measures than women. In everyday work alone, male employees are exposed to significantly more environmental toxins and physical stress than their female colleagues. According to the World Health Organization, men are also 75 percent more likely to commit suicide than women. The reason: you get help too late – or not at all.
hope for a longer life
Kai Meinig has an idea why: “Men should grit their teeth, not show pain, stay strong and so on. Of course, all these stereotypical ideas make it difficult for you to feel and recognize your limits, to show yourself vulnerable and to show yourself to get help.” His solution: find the right balance in life, listen to your body’s signals and take them seriously.
The average life expectancy of men will probably not be able to be increased completely as a result – but mindfulness can still improve the quality of life. When it comes to length, as is so often the case, it all comes down to a mix. In any case, men do not have to resign themselves powerlessly to their fate of earlier average mortality. Everyone can make their lifestyle healthier and get the checkups they need.
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And even as far as biology is concerned, there is good news from science: the latest findings by US researcher Kenneth Walsh on the disappearance of the Y chromosome are a good basis for physicians to work on approaches to solving the problem.
In the future, for example, a drug could ensure that the dying of the chromosomes is slowed down. And there is even a drug that would be suitable for this. Before it can be used, however, a test is required – because not all men are equally affected by the loss of the Y chromosomes. Ergo: not every man is threatened – from a purely biological point of view – with early death.
Source: Stern
