Bad news, good news for men's health

The bad news is that men have a shorter life span than women. The good news is that the factors that most threaten men's lives are largely preventable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2003 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) nearly 80 percent of male deaths could be attributed to just 10 causes.

Heart disease and cancer top the list, accounting for more than half of the male deaths that year.

The 10 leading killers include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, suicide, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease and unintentional injuries, such as car crashes, poisoning or workplace injuries.

According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, there are many riskreduction strategies that can be employed to combat these leading killers of men.

Exercising, eating better, cutting alcohol intake, quitting smoking and having regular preventative health screenings with a doctor are some of the recommended tips.

Statistics show men are at higher risk of premature death than are women in most categories. Though it's unclear exactly why, men have a shorter life span than women. A man's life expectancy in America is 5.3 years less than the average woman's.

Inherited traits and male sex hormones may play a role, affecting characteristics such as body fat distribution. Certain lifestyle behaviors may also predispose men to premature death. Statistics show that men are more likely to smoke, drink, use illicit drugs and engage in casual sex than are women. All of these behaviors can increase the risk of serious diseases.

Males are also more likely to take risks and behave aggressively, which may partly explain why they have a higher risk of dying from accidents, suicide and homicide.

The good news is that by recognizing how these factors affect their lives, men can take steps to significantly reduce their risks of premature death from these common causes.

For free advice on prevention and risk-reduction strategies for men, visit www.MayoClinic.com.

This story is provided by State Point Media