After losing a loved one, many are confronted with their own mortality, wondering how much time they have left. And while no one answer fits everyone, average life expectancy can give us a general idea of the lifespan of a man.
According to the World Health Organization, life expectancy increased by more than six years globally between the years 2000 and 2019. The average global life expectancy for a baby born in 2015 is 71 years (for a baby boy) and 76 years (for a baby girl). However, these numbers will differ based on the country you live in. For instance, in Switzerland, the average lifespan for a man is 81 years, while in Lesotho, it’s just 47 years. In the United States, the average life expectancy for a male is 76 years.
However, a study published in Population and Development Review and authored by Patrick Heuveline, a sociology professor at UCLA’s California Center for Population Research, found that the global coronavirus pandemic led to a global decline of .92 years in 2020 and .72 years in 2021 — the first time that a decrease was reported since 1950 when the United Nations first began estimating these projections.
Covid-19 aside, there are a number of factors that play into how long someone will live, including lifestyle choices, access to health care, and genetics. For instance, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and accounts for nearly one in five deaths each year — and does not account for the 30 people who live with serious smoking-related illnesses to everyone who dies from it.
Making healthy choices like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help increase your lifespan. Additionally, having regular checkups with a doctor and maintaining good mental health are both key to a long and healthy life.
While there is no one answer for how long someone will live, understanding average life expectancy can give us a general idea. And while lifestyle choices, access to healthcare, and genetics all play a role in lifespan, making healthy choices like eating well, exercising, and staying mentally healthy are key to living a long and prosperous life.
Most Common Causes of Death in Older Men
As men get older, their risk of dying from the leading causes of death increases. The most common causes of an increase in death rates and mortality rates in men over 65 years old are heart disease, cancer, stroke, and as of 2020, Covid-19.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States which lead to an increase in death rates and mortality rates. Every year, about one in five male deaths are caused by heart disease. According to the CDC, key risk factors that lead to heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and other conditions like diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive alcohol use.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death for men in the United States. According to the CDC, about one in eight men will die from cancer every year. As with heart disease, key risk factors for cancer include excessive alcohol use, obesity, and smoking, as well as factors like family history and exposure to Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes several kinds of cancer.
As of 2020, Covid-19 is the third leading cause of death for men over the age of 65 in the United States. Since there is less than three years of data for this cause of death, as well as an uncertain future of treatment and how the virus will mutate, it is difficult to project where this will rank in the coming years. However, what we do know is that Covid-19 kills more men than women and that key risk factors for severe illness are obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
While the leading causes of an increase in death rates in older men are able to be mitigated through lifestyle choices and early detection, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having regular checkups with your doctor, and getting screenings for cancer and heart disease can help you live a long and healthy life.
Average US life Expectancy by Gender
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average lifespan for a baby born in the United States in 2019 was 78.7 years (76.3 years for males and 81.4 years for females). However, average life expectancy varies by race and ethnicity — for example, Hispanic people have an average lifespan of 78.8 years while Black people have an average lifespan of 71.8 years.
While average lifespan has generally increased over time, due in part to advances in medicine and lifestyle choices, many factors still play a role in how long someone will live. Making healthy choices like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help increase your lifespan. Additionally, having regular checkups with a doctor and maintaining good mental health is also key to a long and healthy life.
While there is no one answer for how long someone will live, understanding average life expectancy can give us a general idea. And while lifestyle choices, access to healthcare, and genetics all play a role in lifespan, making healthy choices like eating well, exercising, and staying mentally healthy are key to living a long and prosperous life.
Why Men Have a Shorter Life Expectancy Than Women
In the United States, the average lifespan for a baby born in 2019 was 78.7 years (76.3 years for males and 81.4 years for females). This means that, on average, women live about five years longer than men. While average lifespan has generally increased over time, women have historically outlived men by several years.
There are a number of factors that play into why women have a longer lifespan than men. For one, people born as biological females produce more estrogen and less testosterone than their biological male counterparts, which provides protection against many different diseases including heart disease — the leading cause of death among men over the age of 65. Another biological benefit that women enjoy is the extra X chromosome that helps them regulate their immune system, giving them the advantage when it comes to fighting infections.
Biological males with high levels of testosterone have been shown to have an increased risk of a number of diseases, including prostate cancer, and are found to have higher aggression and a greater propensity for risky behavior, both of which can lead directly to an elevated risk of dying at a young age.
Additionally, lifestyle choices play a role in lifespan. Women are more likely to visit the doctor regularly and take preventive measures against disease, both of which can help increase lifespan.
So, while average lifespan varies by race and ethnicity, gender is one of the most significant factors in determining how long someone will live. And while there are a number of factors that play into why women have a longer lifespan than men, making healthy choices like regular doctor visits and preventive care can help everyone live a long and healthy life.
Ways To Increase Your Lifespan
There are a number of things you can do to increase your lifespan. Some of the most important things you can do are:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Don’t smoke
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Manage stress
- Have regular checkups with a doctor
So, if you’re looking to increase your lifespan, focus on making healthy choices and maintaining good habits. And remember, consult with a doctor regularly to ensure that you’re on the right track.
However, it’s equally important to remember that there is no certain path towards longevity. There are many examples of people who live a strict, healthy lifestyle but succumb to illness at a young age, while others live unhealthy lifestyles but live to see old age without any major issues. And of course, this article does not include causes of death like car accidents, violence, or natural disasters. Furthermore, genetics significantly influence longevity, predisposition to diseases or illnesses, and more. It is always a good idea to take care of your body and try to live a healthy life, but there are countless factors beyond our control that can dictate life expectancy on an individual level.
Whether you’ve just lost a loved one or are trying to relieve the burden of your final arrangements by planning in advance, The Gardens of Boca Raton is here to offer your compassionate assistance and advice. We are here 24 hours of the day, seven days per week.
