Men live shorter lives than women - but that can be changed

On average, men live four years shorter than women. This is according to a study by the Swiss Confederation. In the rest of Europe, according to World Health Organisation, it is as much as five years - a "gender age gap" of seven per cent.

Biology or lifestyle?

Admittingly, you are powerless against biology. So a study has shown: Y chromosomes disappear from cells with age. And this loss is largely responsible for your shorter life expectancy. "Nevertheless, earlier male mortality is not a law," says Vienna population scientist Marc Luy. He has compared the data of monks and nuns, whose living conditions are quite similar. One result of the monastery study: Both groups live about the same length of time. And so Luy comes to the following conclusion for the rest of the population: of the five-year difference in life expectancy, only about one year is due to gender. The rest? Lifestyle.

Are health problems home-made?

Many men, however, seem to care more about their bank balance than their body condition. The "First Austrian Men's Health Report" shows: Men eat unhealthier than women, smoke and drink more often, take more risks in traffic or in their leisure time, work more often in occupations that are hazardous to their health and, above all, see a doctor or therapist less often and later than women.

One in four Swiss even never go for check-ups. With serious consequences: Men get cancer more often and have a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. In addition, more than 75 % of suicide deaths are male. And men are also significantly more often addicted and accident victims.

Healthy or scaredy-cat?

What is the reason that men seem to be health muffleurs? Reasons are known Dr. Manuela Birrer, senior consultant at the cantonal hospital in Baden, knows a few reasons: they range from a lack of time in the rush hour of life to a "spare parts mentality" - according to the motto: if the hip goes on strike, it will be replaced - to a blocked inner perception in which signals of overload are not perceived or are perceived only belatedly.

According to Prof. Curt Diehm, medical director of the Max Grundig Clinic in Bühl, men are often simply afraid. Because men have to function and must not be sick, they don't even go to the examination. A vicious circle, because uncertainty increases fear.

Are images of masculinity unhealthy?

"This is often aggravated by an exaggerated understanding of roles," says Dr Birrer. "In the sense of a social and symbolic expression of strength, increased alcohol consumption, smoking, not needing much sleep, risky impertinence in traffic and an excessive six-pack body cult are regarded as masculine. Taking care of one's health, on the other hand, is considered unmanly."

Frank Luck, professor at the KH Freiburg, works on topics such as "images of masculinity and health". For him, men are not a homogeneous group. Their biographies are different, as are their approaches to health. "Some already take more care of themselves, especially to be able to take care of others. The others have a more traditional image of masculinity, sometimes described as toxic. They do sports, for example, because they want to be fitter for work."

But all in all: "Men too often want to prove to themselves and their environment that they can solve problems - including health problems - on their own. Only when things get serious do they go to the doctor.

On the one hand, this is due to a "men are the stronger sex" socialisation. On the other hand, the health system also has to change. "In many cases, it still requires patients to report themselves early and to address problems quickly and actively," says Luck. "That can be difficult for men. They feel vulnerable."

Do men need their own health services?

Gender-sensitive knowledge, gender-specific treatment and prophylaxis will become increasingly important to equalise life expectancy between the sexes. Frank Luck considers it crucial to "open up spaces for men that give them enough time - also outside of classic consultation hours - to discuss their concerns without judging their masculinity" . It is also important to include social, biographical and societal aspects. "It's not just about looking at individual (health) behaviour and working on it, but also keeping an eye on the patients' living conditions and situation," because what good is endurance training if the athletic-fit heart is broken?

One approach to this, he says, is to provide the patients with the necessary support.

One approach to this is provided by the Vienna Health Centre for Men, Fathers and Boys. In addition to health counselling, it also offers support with problems in relationships and at work. There are also good offers on the net, such as the Men's Health Portal of the Federal Centre for Health Education. .

Go to the men's consultation hour

. And in Switzerland? At the interdisciplinary "Männersprechstunde" (men's consultation) at the cantonal hospital in Baden, patients are examined, cared for and treated discreetly, holistically and, above all, individually. Men's consultation sounds like erectile dysfunction? "People often make fun of that," says co-initiator Manuela Birrer. Wrongly so. Men's health is not limited to that, of course. "Especially since such erectile dysfunctions are considered an early warning symptom for the presence of generalised vascular calcification and are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or circulatory disorders of the legs."

The example also shows: complaints often cannot be reduced to a single problem area. "The patient is therefore examined by various specialists such as urologists, endocrinologists, angiologists and psychologists. We clarify which medical measures and lifestyle changes make sense. Our goal is to get men to take responsibility for themselves, their health and thus also for their family."

What are the benefits of lifestyle changes?

How much life you can get out of changing your health behaviour? On average, studies suggest that you can gain around seven years if you (although some of this is admittedly quite vague):

• eat a balanced, healthy diet,
• consume less alcohol and red meat,
• do not smoke,
• reduce negative stress,
• maintaining social contacts
• live in a happy, stable partnership .- doing regular exercise
• you are overweight and
• go to the recommended check-ups.

"This prevents those diseases that are among the greatest mortality risks in men," says Dr Manuela Birrer.

How does lifestyle change succeed?

We know: Good (New Year's) resolutions are not enough. Dr Birrer recommends setting priorities and realistic goals. Most important are a healthy diet and regular exercise. You could start by taking the stairs instead of the lift or avoiding fast food. Then you need to see what you can do easily over the long term. Buy running shoes if you hate jogging? Pointless. Get a dog if you'll get more exercise? Possibly more sensible. Positive side effect: Sport and exercise can help you to gain "good for me" experiences and to find access to yourself.

Helpful for jogging if you hate jogging?

Technology can also be helpful in finding access - from pedometers to smartwatches. "These tools can be used to experience self-efficacy. You can see exactly what positive things are happening."

But don't just get technical support, get human support too - "whether it's from the nutritionist or the vegetable box delivery person, the occupational psychologist, at a smoking cessation course, personal trainer, club, regulars' table or in your close environment," says Birrer. The men's consultation hour helps. Frank Luck advises to "already build up a network of medical professionals, counselling centres and confidants locally as a healthy person, which you can fall back on if the worst comes to the worst."

How can the environment support men?

Talking about networks, Manuela Birrer says it is helpful if the people around you help with the lifestyle change: "When communicating, it is good to talk about the benefits of prevention and to ask the man, if not for his own sake, then to go to preventive care for the family.

Frank Luck recommends the following for such conversations: "Don't fall through the cracks. This applies to unhealthy behaviour and circumstances, but especially when there are cutbacks or critical events, such as the birth of a child or the loss of a close person."

It is important to listen, not to judge, and to take time for the conversation. "If a man says he is fine and has no problems, that is not necessarily the end of communication. It can be the beginning."

Gender gap is narrowing

The gap between female and male life expectancy is closing in the Western world, by the way. While it was nearly seven years in the 1980s, it is expected to be only three years for boys born in 2060. You'll just have to get your extra 1500 days of life for yourself. You now have some starting points for how this can work.