Gender Hole in Life Expectancy Persists
Genetics and riskier behaviors could assist clarify the distinction, researchers say
WebMD Information from HealthDay
By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Nov. 21, 2016 (HealthDay Information) -- Individuals are residing longer than ever, however males nonetheless path girls in life expectancy, a brand new examine exhibits.
A world staff of researchers reviewed information from greater than 1 million individuals worldwide. From the 18th century to the current, they discovered the previous few generations have had the most important life expectancy improve within the historical past of people and all different primates.
For instance, life expectancy in Sweden over the past 200 years elevated from the mid-30s to over 80.
"We have made an even bigger journey in lengthening our lifespan over the previous few hundred years than we did over hundreds of thousands of years of evolutionary historical past," examine co-author Susan Alberts, a biology professor at Duke College in Durham, N.C., mentioned in a faculty information launch.
However regardless of the general rising life expectancy -- the results of advances in medication and public well being -- males nonetheless are likely to have shorter lives than females, one thing that's true in different primates as nicely.
"The male drawback has deep evolutionary roots," Alberts mentioned.
"It is puzzling," she mentioned. "If we are able to make life final so lengthy, why cannot we shrink the male-female hole?"
Doable causes embrace genetics and better ranges of dangerous behaviors in males, the researchers urged.
The examine was revealed on-line Nov. 21 within the journal Proceedings of the Nationwide Academy of Sciences.
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