The gender health gap is the difference in life expectancy between males and females. Females have a much higher life expectancy rate than men. Their bodies are generally healthier than men’s. Woman tend to lead healthier lifestyles than men.

There are many cultural influences that bring about differences in the health of men and woman. There are certain ways that men and woman are expected to act and some of these gender norms have an impact on our everyday health. For example, back in the good ole days, before cigarettes killed millions of people, every single man smoked. If they didn’t they were a part of a select few. Even though they didn’t know all of the effects of tobacco at the time it didn’t mean that there weren’t any. In 1950 the average life expectancy for males was 65 years old. For woman it was 71.

One of the leading causes for male deaths is accidental accidents. That is pretty sad that being a dumb ass is one of the leading cause for male deaths. A Navy Seal that I used to know always said “pride has killed more men than cancer”. This is a pretty accurate statement. Men think that they have to prove themselves as a man and therefor do stupid things that puts them in life threatening situations. Men also think that they will be less of a man if they go through preventative measures with their health. Men are supposed to get a colonoscopy once they are at a certain age, but many men are embarrassed to get a tiny camera stuck up their butt, because they think it will make them “gay”. That is the dumbest thing ever, from personal experience, they are not bad. Many people just let their pride get to them and influence their health decisions.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/mars-vs-venus-the-gender-gap-in-health