1 Reason Why Men Die Younger Than Women

A longevity gene provides women a biological edge.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

After losing his son to a drug overdose, one of my 65-year-old patients—let’s call him Bob—turned to genetic testing to understand how his addiction risk and stress might shape his long-term health. The test, which analyzed more than 160 genes, revealed his vulnerabilities in FOXO3—the “longevity gene”—tied to stress resilience, DNA repair, and aging.

Emerging research shows FOXO3 works differently in men and women, offering women a biological edge and helping explain one factor behind why men in the United States die almost six years earlier on average.

Why Men and Women Age Differently

For decades, explanations for the gender gap in lifespan focused on smoking, drinking, and health care patterns. However, research has clarified that behavior tells only part of the story. Genetics, and specifically the FOXO3 gene, contribute to the difference in longevity between men and women.