Most people know that women live longer than men. But did you know that gap is getting wider? In 2021, women in the U.S. lived almost six years longer than men on average. That’s the biggest difference we’ve seen since 1996. This has doctors, researchers, and public health experts worried—and it’s led to some serious questions about what’s going wrong for men’s health in America.
One big issue is that a lot of working-age men are sick or injured in ways that keep them from working. In 2020, about 26% of working-age men said they couldn’t work because of illness or disability. That’s compared to only 18% of women. And that’s not all. Men are also falling behind in education, which can lead to fewer job opportunities and more stress—two things that don’t help their health either.
Some of the main reasons men aren’t living as long as women come down to what’s called “deaths of despair.” That includes deaths from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related diseases. These types of deaths have been going up and hit men especially hard. COVID-19 also played a role in the recent drop in life expectancy, and so did accidental injuries like car crashes and drug overdoses.
But even before the pandemic, men were more likely to die from long-term health problems like cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. A big reason for that is how men deal with stress and sickness. Many men use unhealthy ways to cope, like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or using drugs. In fact, men are more likely than women to use tobacco and illegal drugs, and they’re also more likely to end up in the emergency room—or worse—because of it.
There’s also a biological factor. Women have estrogen, which helps protect the heart before menopause. Men have testosterone, which doesn’t give the same heart benefits. That might be one reason why men are more likely to get heart disease and die younger.
But it’s not just about biology. How men use the health care system—or more often, don’t use it—is a big part of the problem. Many men don’t go to the doctor regularly. A survey in 2020 found that men were less likely than women to have a regular doctor or to have had a check-up in the last two years. Some people think that’s because men just don’t care about their health. But when researchers actually ask men, they find something different. Men aren’t always sure what the doctor can really do for them, and they worry about the cost, whether it’s worth their time, or where to even go for care.
Another reason is that men aren’t taught from a young age to see doctors regularly. Women often start visiting doctors in their teens for birth control or reproductive health, so they build a habit early. Men usually don’t have that same push, unless they play sports and need a physical. So later in life, they may not see the point in going, especially if they feel okay.
And for some men, especially Black men and others from underserved communities, their past experiences with doctors haven’t been positive. They say they get told the same things—lose weight, eat better, exercise more—but don’t get help or support to make those changes. They also feel like they’re not listened to or respected, which makes them less likely to go back.
So how can we help more men take better care of their health? One way is to make the doctor’s visit more personal and useful. Instead of just telling men what to do, doctors can ask what their goals are. What matters most to them? Is it having more energy? Feeling stronger? Being able to travel in retirement or play with their grandkids? When men see that good health helps them do the things they care about, they’re more likely to take it seriously.
There are also times when health topics naturally bring men into care. When Viagra was approved in the 1990s, a lot of men started seeing their doctors. The same happened when testosterone treatments became popular. These kinds of visits can be a good chance for doctors to talk about other health topics, like heart health, diet, and exercise.
Even talking about family history can help. If a man’s dad had diabetes or heart disease, the doctor can explain what that means for him—and what he can do to lower his own risk. That makes the advice feel more real and important.
One big idea that can help is to think of getting older like training for a big event. If you want to be able to hike with your grandkids or travel the world when you’re 70, you need to take care of your body now. That means regular check-ups, eating well, moving your body, and avoiding smoking and heavy drinking. Doctors call this “successful aging”—living not just longer, but better.
And it’s not about being perfect. It’s about taking small steps that add up. Go for a walk most days. Cut back on sugary drinks. Talk to your doctor about your blood pressure or cholesterol. And don’t be afraid to ask questions or say what matters most to you.
At the end of the day, the goal is to help men see the value in health care—not just when they’re sick, but to prevent problems before they start. When men feel like the care they get is helpful, respectful, and connected to what they care about, they’re more likely to come back. And that’s how we start to close the gap in health between men and women. Because every man deserves the chance to live a long, healthy, and active life.