A discussion of the major lifetime risks of early death for both men and women and differences between the two.
Copyright (c) 2007 Ainsley Laing
According to the Center for Disease Control in the United States, the life expectancy for American men is 75 (74.5) and women is 80 (79.9). The top killers for men and top killers for women are pretty similar. Here's the list. You may be surprised:
For American Men, the top 8 causes of death over a lifetime are:
No. 1 - Heart disease.
No. 2 - Cancer .
No. 3 - Accidents (unintentional injuries).
No. 4 - Stroke .
No. 5 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
No. 6 - Diabetes.
No. 7 - Pneumonia and influenza .
No. 8 - Suicide
For American Women, the top 8 causes of death over a lifetime are:
No. 1 - Heart disease .
No. 2 - Cancer .
No. 3 - Stroke .
No. 4 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
No. 5 - Alzheimer's disease.
No. 6 - Diabetes .
No. 7 - Accidents .
No. 8 - Pneumonia and influenza
It's important to note that these "killers" are over a lifetime, and that the major causes of death shift within certain age groups.
If you are a woman in your 20s, accidents are your biggest risk factor for death. Likewise, from ages 35 to 64, your greatest risk is cancer. For men, from childhood until age 44, accidents are the most significant threat. From 55 to 64, cancer is the biggest cause of death.
Lung cancer is still by far the biggest cancer killer in both sexes. 90% of this cancer is caused by cigarettes. Prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, the other leading cancers have all been associated with high fat diets, overweight and lack of exercise. Smoking is also a primary contributor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
More than twice as many men as women die each year in traffic accidents. Male drivers involved in such accidents are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated.
Surprisingly, men commit suicide four times as often as women do. Depression is estimated to affect 7 percent of men in any given year and is a risk factor for suicide. Substance abuse, more common in men, can mask depression.
More women than men have Alzheimer's. In fact, women die of it at more than twice the rate that men do. One reason may be that women generally live longer, and the risk of Alzheimer's increases with age.
Putting all this together, the lifestyle behaviors you can employ to lessen your chances of dying of the big killers or at least putting them off look like this:
1. Avoid smoking, using other tobacco products and exposure to passive smoke .
2. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. .
3. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Control other health conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. .
6. Maintain a healthy weight.
7. Limit saturated fats.
8. Be aware of potential cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) in your home and workplace, and take steps to reduce your exposure to these substances.
9. Have regular preventive health screenings.
10 Know your family medical history and review it with your doctor.
11. Use your seat belt.
12. Keep your speed down when driving.
13. Don't drive while sleepy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
14. Limit your exposure to sun and use sunscreen.
Nothing really new or earth shattering, just common sense!
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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