Research

Mixed

Women live longer than men globally, but this survival advantage is offset by a higher prevalence of disability and age-related diseases in later life, resulting in similar healthy life expectancy between genders.

Do not assume that living longer means you are healthier. Women, on average, live about 5.5 years longer than men in the EU, but they spend those extra years managing chronic diseases and disability. The goal for both genders should be extending 'healthy life expectancy' (years free from activity limitation), which is currently similar for men and women. Focus on preventing age-related diseases rather than just extending lifespan.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Women live longer than men and this difference in life expectancy is a worldwide phenomenon... The survival advantage of women is counterbalanced by a worse quality of life in advanced age due to the increase in disability and degenerative diseases... the almost 5 years of advantage in life expectancy of women are years of diseases and disability.
Rita Ostan et al. · Clinical Science · 2016

Why this rating

Based on large-scale demographic data, historical cohorts, and consistent findings across multiple studies cited in the review.

Source

Gender, aging and longevity in humans: an update of an intriguing/neglected scenario paving the way to a gender-specific medicine

Rita Ostan et al. · Clinical Science · 2016

DOI 10.1042/cs20160004

narrative_reviewCited 252×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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