According to a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO), the average life
expectancy for men is 69 years, whereas women typically live up to 74 years on average.
Globally, women tend to outlive men due to a variety of factors, including biological differences like hormonal variations and behavioral differences such as lifestyle choices. This gender disparity in longevity underscores significant differences in health outcomes
between men and women. The study also reveals that men experience a greater degree of health loss throughout their lives, facing higher risks of conditions such as heart disease and fatal car accidents. Additionally, the intersection of gender with other variables—such as race, socioeconomic status, age, and sexual orientation—further influences the risk of various diseases and affects life expectancy.
While women tend to live longer, they often endure a lesser quality of life in their later years. They are more likely to suffer from chronic issues like lower back pain, headaches, and depressive disorders, which can significantly impact their overall well-being.
These findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific health challenges to
improve life expectancy and quality of life for both men and women. In the United States, life expectancy has seen a significant decline over the past few years, dropping from 78.8 years in 2019 to 77 in 2020 and further down to 76.1 in 2022. This alarming trend has undone over two decades of progress and is partly attributed to over one million COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic.
The United States now lags behind many of its wealthy peers in terms of life expectancy.
Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Italy all boast life
expectancies of 80 years or more. Even countries like Turkey (78.6 years) and China (78.2 years) fare better than the U.S. This comparison underscores the urgent need for comprehensive public health strategies to address the factors contributing to the decline in life expectancy in the United States.
