US men die 6 years before women, as life expectancy gap widens

A study by UC San Francisco and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals a widening life expectancy gap between men and women in the U.S., reaching 5.8 years in 2021, the largest since 1996. This increase from a 4.8-year gap in 2010 is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis, as detailed in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to this disparity, particularly from 2019 to 2021, with men disproportionately affected. Other factors exacerbating the gap include unintentional injuries, drug overdoses, accidents, and suicide, highlighting the urgent need for targeted health interventions.

The study underscores the necessity for specialized healthcare for men, especially in light of the pandemic's impact. Before COVID-19, factors like unintentional injuries and chronic diseases were primary contributors to the life expectancy gap. The research calls for focused public health strategies to reverse the declining life expectancy and address the gender disparity.