Men's Health

The gender gap in life expectancy is driven by higher rates of cardiovascular disease, occupational hazards, risk-taking behaviour, lower rates of healthcare utilisation, and later diagnosis of treatable conditions. Most of these factors are modifiable.

By 40: blood pressure, cholesterol panel, fasting glucose, BMI. By 45–50: colorectal cancer screening, PSA discussion. Ongoing: STI testing if sexually active, skin checks for those with high UV exposure, and dental and eye examinations annually.

The highest-impact changes are: quitting smoking, achieving or maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly (cardio and resistance training), sleeping 7–9 hours per night, and limiting alcohol. These five changes address the majority of preventable chronic disease risk.