Men are more likely to be sick and less likely to look for 3 common diseases, according to studies

It is usually known that women live more than men. The life expectancy of North -American women is 80.2 years compared to 74.8 for men, according to the Disease Control and Prevention Centers.

There are several reasons why Women usually live longer: Men often risk largerwork more dangerous jobs, have a higher suicide rate, to experience more social isolationAvoid doctors and are 50% Most likely May women die of heart disease at a younger age.

But recent research also reflects that men are more likely to be sick of three common diseases, and it is less likely to seek them.

In a study published in the magazine Plos MedicineResearchers added health data for men and women from 204 countries for three conditions: hypertension, diabetesand HIV and AIDS. They compared the disease rates and the differences in diagnosis and treatment, and found that men had higher rates of illness and mortality compared to women, and in some countries, men were less likely to look for health care and to be treated. This has a double load for men, who are at greater risk of illness and mortality, while also experiencing lower treatment rates.

“This data may reveal where the health journeys of men and women are diverged, whether in relation to the risk factors to which they are exposed, their health care that seeks behaviors or their experiences in health care systems,” said the co -authors Kent Bere and Sarah Hawkes in a press release. “It is an important first step towards health equity.”

The findings

Researchers found that among the three different diseases, the rate of prevalence and mortality were often higher among men. In 56% of the countries (114), there was a significantly larger prevalence of HIV among men compared to women, and men were more likely than women to die of AIDS in 131 countries (64%).

In addition to half of the countries (107), hypertension death rates were higher among men, despite the fact that men and women had a similar prevalence of world -class hypertension, apart from eight countries.

Similar observations were found for diabetes. Researchers wrote that there were no significant sex differences in most countries for the prevalence of diabetes, although rates were higher in 30% of countries. But diabetes mortality was significantly higher for men in almost half of countries (100).

Why some rates of illness and death are higher in men

One of the risk factors that contributes could be that the rates of smoking among men are significantly higher than women in 86% of countries (176) included, according to researchers. But the authors of the studio believe that it is deeper than that.

“Most of these differences are not only explained by sex (biology), but by a socially built genre, in a significant way the importance of adopting a gender justice approach to reducing health inequalities,” said Brue and Hawkes.

When exploring the potential factors that contribute to their findings, the authors ask questions such as:

“Are men subject to constructions of masculinities that often discourage the prevention and search of care, later presenting themselves in the progression of the disease in health facilities compared to women (and thus, with more risk of mortality from diagnosed disease)?”

According to the CDCMen have 50% less likely than women to look for medical care. A survey of the Cleveland Clinic He found that 65% of men stated that they would avoid seeking medical care as long as possible, saying they were too busy, believed that the diseases would be cured by themselves and that they felt that they made them look weak.

Together with the barriers presented by gender rules, men also seem to be less informed about the signs of illness warning a study—As with the conscience of symptoms and the importance of early medical intervention it is constantly smaller in men compared to women.

In addition, authors speculate that some causes of women’s death are being informed or misunderstood.

In general, authors promote greater specific gender care, as they ask: “There are biological reasons why men have a higher mortality rate of diabetes compared to women, and, if so, this justifies sex clinical guidelines?”

They suggest that public health professionals need to develop methods that encourage men to seek and adhere to the prevention and treatment of the disease.

“The absence of gender -sensitive policies in many areas of health produces gender -based inequalities, from risk exposure to care waterfalls that are not properly addressed in many environments,” write the authors. “Recognizing and attending to the unique health needs of women, men and gender people through gender -sensitive interventions is needed if we reduce health inequalities to the entire population.”

For more information on health care and gender:

• 5 symptoms that men over 40 should do Take -you always seriously
• Women now drink alcohol as much as men …With even more harmful health effects
• Men can do them 3 life changes to improve fertility
• Stigma prevents many men from seeking mental health support. These 3 shifts can help

This story originally presented to Fortune.com

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