International Women’s Day: That’s why women live longer
Just in time for International Women’s Day, we show you why the supposedly weaker sex is also ahead in the area of health. That is why women live longer than men.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), women live an average of six to eight years longer than men. Here are some reasons.
Genetic Advantage: The X chromosome
Because of their genetic information, women often react less strongly to viral infections. The female X chromosome and the sex hormone estrogen have a positive effect on the immune system of women and thus strengthen the body’s defences . Estrogen also promotes the production of the enzyme telomerase, which protects DNA from damage. Among other things, it inhibits the development of cancer cells.
Up to the menopause , the risk of heart attack in women is significantly lower, which is also said to be related to estrogen production, as this has a vascular-protecting effect.
Women often live more consciously and healthily
In addition to genetic factors, the lifestyle of many women also has a positive influence on life expectancy. Habits such as smoking, risky driving or poor diet and alcohol consumption are more common among men and are therefore responsible, among other things, for the health differences between the sexes:
- Heart disease costs men 0.84 more years of life than women
- Traffic accidents cost men 0.47 years of life more than women
- Lung cancer costs men 0.4 years more than women
Equality between women and men favors male longevity
Better equality between men and women can have a positive impact on men’s living conditions. The changed image of the male stereotype reduces the risk factors already listed and favors a healthier lifestyle in men.
Equal rights for men and women not only have a positive social impact, but can also change the way men live for the better.