[Early death of the stronger sex. Could behavior change influence men's fate].
Life expectancy in men is approximately 6.5 years shorter than in women. As an explanation for this difference, isolated consideration of the higher prevalence of coronary heart disease and cancer in men is inadequate. But it would also appear erroneous to postulate that differences in male and female thinking and behavior patterns in regard to health-risk behavior are subject to controllable socialization processes and "rational" realizations. The interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors and socialization is largely unknown. A sex-specific consideration of risk behavior and quality of life suggest that a healthy lifestyle, relevant information and preventive measures - in particular in males - must be initiated before puberty if they are to have a positive effect on mortality and morbidity during the course of a person's life.
Klotz
T
T
Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, Weiden. klotz@klinikum-weiden.de
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005826:Genetics, Medical; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends*; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors