A study of 44 countries including most of Europe shows just how big a factor lifestyle is in the disparity in death rates between men and women.
The research, published by Professors Alan White and Mike Holmes of the Centre for Men’s Health at Leeds Metropolitan University in Engalnd, looks at patterns of mortality across 44 countries among men and women aged 15-44 years.
It found that in the majority of countries men in this age group had over two-and-a-half times the death rate of women. In the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, more than four-and-half times as many young men died in this age group.
Although there are substantial differences between countries in the causes and levels of premature male deaths, the excess of male over female deaths is consistent across all countries for which data was available and most marked in countries which are experiencing rapid social change such as those of Eastern Europe,’ Professor Holmes said.
‘We are seeing some improvements in the life expectancy of men, but this could be much better if the problems in these early years, which are mainly lifestyle related, could be avoided,’ said Professor White, who is also member of the European Men’s Health Forum committee.
The study showed that in the majority of countries accidents were the principal cause of death in young men, but a substantial number were also due to suicide and diseases, such as cardio-vascular disease and malignant neoplasms.
‘Rates of death as a result of cardio-vascular disease and cancer increase three to four fold in the 35-44 age group when compared to the 25-34 age group, suggesting that problems have been building up in the years when men are known to be poor at accessing health care or paying serious attention to their own health needs’, Professor White said.
