"When it comes to longevity, women are much more likely to outlive men. In the U.S. the gap widened to 5.8 years in 2021. On average, men can expect to live just shy of 76 years, compared to 81 for women. A new study from researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany shows this gap is true across different species."
"Females live about 13% longer in 72% of species. A mix of factors explain the gap, including genetics, mating habits which tend to bring on risky behaviors among males, and caretaking responsibilities. Females have two X chromosomes, compared to an X and Y for males, which may provide a protective "backup" against potentially harmful genetic mutations. But the differences extend well beyond this."
"Colchero points to the behaviors and physical changes that males in many species take on in order to mate and reproduce. For example, male deer (bucks) are bigger and they grow antlers during the breeding season to signal dominance and fight off mating rivals in an effort to attract females. "This is an evolutionary pressure, certainly, to be able to pass to the next generation as many genes as they can," Colchero says. "But that comes at a cost in their survival.""
Women in the U.S. had a 5.8-year longevity advantage in 2021, with average life expectancies near 81 for women and just under 76 for men. Across 528 mammal species, females live about 13% longer in roughly 72% of species, including chimpanzees. Multiple factors contribute: genetic differences such as two X chromosomes in females, mating-related behaviors and physical traits in males that increase risk, and caregiving roles that affect survival. Male investment in size, weapons, and risky competition improves reproductive success but reduces lifespan. Human male patterns of smoking, drinking, and risk-taking mirror these drivers and could be addressed to narrow the gap.
Read at www.npr.org
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