HEALTH

The life expectancy gap between women and men in U.S. is growing

Apr 25, 2023, 6:01 PM | Updated: 6:03 pm

Doctors analyze a screening of a colon...

(American Cancer Society/Getty Images)

(American Cancer Society/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY — The life expectancy of American men is dropping. 

In 2011 in the United States, life expectancy at birth was 76.3 years for males and 81.1 years for females, a 4.8-year difference, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the United States, life expectancy in 2021 was 79.1 years for women and 73.2 years for men; that 5.9-year difference is the largest gap in a quarter-century. Across the life span — from infancy to the teen years, midlife and old age — the risk of death at every age is higher for boys and men than for girls and women, according to the Washington Post  article “A silent crisis in men’s health gets worse.”

Life expectancy in the U.S. and peer countries generally increased from 1980-2019 but decreased in most countries in 2020 due to COVID-19. From 2020 to 2021, life expectancy at birth began to rebound in most comparable countries while it continued to decline in the U.S., according to Health System Tracker.

Why is male life expectancy falling?

Dr. Richard Ferguson, chief medical officer of Health Choice Utah and founder of Black Physicians of Utah, joins Dave Noriega and KSL at Night co-host Leah Murray.

Ferguson said boys are at a disadvantage from the beginning.

“Men are told, ‘Only go to the doctor when you’re hurt or if there’s a problem with your sexual health,” he said. “Women, especially young girls, once they’re over 18, they’re encouraged — you need to now establish care with a gynecologist because her mother told [her] that and so you have women bestowing this wisdom onto young girls and not often to boys or men.”

Leah said she makes an appointment with her doctor every year but has to nag her husband to attend his doctor’s appointment.

“Well, that’s a good point that you actually mentioned marriage,” Ferguson said. “Married men live longer, two years on average, than their unmarried counterparts. Why is that? Well, they had the influence of their significant other their spouse, often a woman.”

Female health is emphasized but not male health

The health of women and children is prioritized early in life, but often, the doctor said, the cardiac and mental health of men is not.

“As I was walking up here, I saw an unhoused man in front of the KSL Studios. I’m less likely to see an unhoused woman with a child,” Ferguson said. “The city, the states across our nation will say, ‘No, that is not acceptable.'”

The doctor said while he was working in urgent care if a man came in due to an ankle sprain, for example, he would try to check the man’s vitals and encourage him to focus on preventive care.

“One of the first things I would do because I know it’s a man, and he’s probably not getting his blood pressure checked, this is my one opportunity” [to check his blood pressure].

Dave said he was starting to see how much the social aspect of medicine is playing a part in his reluctance to regularly check in with a healthcare provider. 

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone into the doctor with that sprained ankle.  I’m piecing it all together now. All of a sudden, my doctor was like, ‘Well, let’s take a little blood sample . . . that’s the only time you’re gonna find out that my cholesterol was high,” he said.

“Let’s make it acceptable and encourage our young boys and young men that it’s good to go to the doctor. It’s not a sign that you are failing at something,” Ferguson said.

 

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Health

wegovy, one of many weight loss drugs...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Popular weight loss drugs may play a factor in vision loss, review shows

Ingredients in popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro may play a role in vision complications, such as eye stroke.

5 hours ago

The Weber County Animal Shelter reported it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs after a canine parvov...

Simone Seikaly

Parvovirus outbreak leads to euthanizations at Weber County Animal Services

The Weber County Animal Shelter said it had to euthanize at least 18 dogs that had been vaccinated but contracted parvovirus anyway.

2 days ago

This image shows a chicken coop and garden at the home of Sarah Penny in Knoxville, Tenn., in May 2...

Associated Press

Soaring egg prices are piquing interest in backyard chickens

Thinking about backyard chickens as egg prices soar? Think hard, especially in light of the bird flu outbreak.

2 days ago

A doctor uses a hand-held Doppler probe on a pregnant woman to measure the heartbeat of the fetus o...

Don Brinkerhoff

AI model could help predict dangers in unborn babies

Researchers have developed a new AI model that may help doctors assess the risk a fetus has for serious complications like stillbirth.

3 days ago

Dentist Spencer Luke seals Paulina Orozco's teeth, Feb. 24, 2007. On Feb. 6, Fortis College in Salt...

Ivy Farguheson, KSL.com

Give Kids a Smile seeks to help kids who don’t visit a dentist as much as they should

In 2022, dental officials said slightly more than half the population aged 0-18 years old visited the dentist at least one time during the year.

3 days ago

Adaptive resistance...

Michelle Lee

What is adaptive resistance exercise?

Let’s Get Moving Host Maria Shilaos spoke with Rob Darnbrough with The Smart Fit Method to learn how adaptive resistance exercise works.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

The life expectancy gap between women and men in U.S. is growing