The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a renewed warning about worsening health trends among American men, underscoring that men remain far more likely than women to die prematurely from chronic diseases. Officials argue that the disparity is widening into a public health crisis and will require both systemic change and cultural shifts to reverse.
The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that men’s life expectancy in the United States stands at 74.8 years, compared with 80.2 years for women. This difference of more than five years has persisted for decades but has grown wider in recent years, fueled by higher rates of chronic illnesses, deaths of despair, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, researchers report that by 2021 the gap had grown to its widest in nearly half a century.
The reasons for this disparity are complex. Chronic conditions such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and kidney failure, and cancer continue to claim men’s lives at higher rates than women’s. These diseases are largely preventable or manageable when detected early, yet men are less likely to undergo routine screenings, schedule check-ups, or seek medical care in the first place. Health officials say that by the time many men finally enter the healthcare system, their illnesses are often at more advanced and difficult-to-treat stages.
Economic and social pressures also play a significant role. For decades, declining male participation in the labor force has been linked in part to deteriorating health. Between 1970 and 2020, the percentage of men in the workforce fell sharply, with health-related work limitations cited as a major factor. Among men of prime working age, more than one in four report they are unable to work because of sickness or disability, compared to fewer than one in five women. This loss of employment not only limits income but also reduces access to employer-sponsored health benefits, perpetuating a cycle of poor health outcomes.
Experts add that cultural expectations and social stigma continue to discourage men from taking their health seriously. Traditional norms around masculinity can make it difficult for men to admit weakness, speak openly about symptoms, or seek mental health care. In many communities, routine doctor visits are seen as unnecessary unless a serious problem arises, which can delay the identification of underlying conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or early-stage cancer. These factors collectively contribute to a pattern in which men engage less with preventive medicine and instead rely on emergency care once conditions escalate.
The FDA also points to the disproportionate toll of recent crises. Men accounted for higher death rates from COVID-19, partly due to biological vulnerabilities but also because of lifestyle-related risk factors such as obesity and smoking. The opioid epidemic, alcohol-related illnesses, and rising suicide rates have likewise struck men more severely than women, particularly those in rural areas or without steady employment. These “deaths of despair” compound already high mortality rates from chronic disease, pushing overall life expectancy downward.
Underlying health behaviors remain another obstacle. More than half of U.S. adult men live with hypertension, and nearly 40 percent are classified as obese. Tobacco use, while declining, remains higher among men than women, and alcohol misuse is more prevalent among men as well. Each of these behaviors carries long-term health risks that contribute to earlier mortality. Yet without early intervention, education, and access to affordable care, such risks are unlikely to diminish.
In response to these challenges, the FDA has called for a series of initiatives designed to narrow the health gap. Officials stress the need for better access to preventive care, including insurance coverage for screenings and treatments that address men’s specific risks. They also advocate for public awareness campaigns that frame preventive health as an act of responsibility rather than weakness, aiming to change the narrative around masculinity and health-seeking behavior. Beyond awareness, the agency is urging increased funding for research into male-specific health outcomes, with the goal of understanding both biological and social drivers that influence men’s elevated mortality rates.
Health professionals and advocates caution, however, that meaningful progress will require structural reform. Inequities in healthcare access, education, and income are deeply embedded in society, and they shape men’s health outcomes in profound ways. Communities of color, low-income groups, and rural populations often experience the sharpest disparities, with Black men facing some of the lowest life expectancy figures in the country. Without addressing these underlying determinants, experts warn, public campaigns and policy changes may only scratch the surface.
The implications of inaction are broad. A shorter male lifespan affects not only individuals but also families and the economy. High male mortality reduces labor force participation, increases the financial and emotional burden on families, and strains healthcare systems with late-stage treatments that could have been avoided through prevention. Narrowing the life expectancy gap, officials argue, would improve not just men’s outcomes but also the overall health of the American population.
FDA officials stress that the agency’s focus on men’s health is not meant to diminish or compete with longstanding efforts to advance women’s health. Rather, it reflects an acknowledgment that both sexes face distinct challenges requiring tailored solutions. Just as investment in women’s health has yielded major advances in outcomes and awareness, advocates say a similar push for men’s health could help to turn the tide on chronic disease and premature mortality.
The agency has called on healthcare providers, policymakers, employers, and community organizations to play a role in reshaping the culture around men’s health. For now, the message is clear: unless men begin engaging more actively with preventive medicine, and unless structural barriers are addressed, the life expectancy gap between men and women may continue to grow.
