ABSTRACT
The life expectancy for men worldwide is 5.1 years less than that of women. The gender gap in mortality has been highlighted as early as the 19th century and persisted in spite of governmental legislation, public health initiatives and the creation of men's health charities. The major diseases contributing to the gender gap in life expectancy are associated with urological disorders and male sexual and reproductive health. Men have a shorter life expectancy than women because they have a higher level of premature mortality. High levels of premature male death have negative healthcare, economic and social consequences. Gender inequality in life expectancy is negatively associated with societal happiness as well as other social development indices such as the human development index and the gender empowerment measure. A key factor to the gender gap in mortality is the utility by men of health services. Women attend primary care services more often than men.
