Alarm at Euro gender gap
Tuesday August 30th, 2011
Men pose a major health problem in Europe, according to two new analyses.
One
study suggests that the gap in life expectancy between men and women may
be closing in Europe.
But a second report, by British researchers, calls for action to improve the health of men.
One study, reported to the European Society of Cardiology conference in Paris, France, says women have a life expectancy six years longer than men.
Researchers said this was not necessarily due to women having healthier lifestyles - although smoking rates remain higher among men.
Across the continent, in Iceland, a man can expect to live to 80 while in Bulgaria a woman's life expectancy is only 77.
A separate study, conducted by Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, says that about half the premature deaths among men in Europe are avoidable.
Researchers say men are less likely than women to undergo routine health checks or those aimed at preventing particular diseases.
Depression and other mental health problems are under-detected and under-treated in all European countries, according to the report produced for the European Union.
The researchers, led by Professor Alan White, a professor of men's health, calls for "targeted action" to reduce preventable illness and death among men.
Tags: Europe | Men’s Health | Women’s Health & Gynaecology
Printer friendly page