Stats: Women live longer than men

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Statistics on Filipino and men’s health in the Philippines for 2010 until 2015 reveal life expectancy at birth rose by 1.5 years for both males and females from 2005-2010 projections and that the current projected female life expectancy remains higher at 73.14 years compared with men at 67. 61 years.

Non-communicable and healthy lifestyle-related diseases and studies revealed the health gap is because men are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior which is less likely in women who adapt health measures.

As a result, men die younger and in greater numbers of heart disease stroke, cancer, diabetes and many other diseases because they are unaware of health risks.

Men also are likely to work in dangerous occupations and often put off going to the doctor even when they should really go.

These were bared in a forum here to understand and appreciate   healthy lifestyle. 

About 130   male employees from the provincial and municipal local government unit offices of the province attended a forum on healthy lifestyle for men and men’s involvement in reproductive health conducted by the Dept. of Health at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall here recently. 

Topics also discussed substance abuse prevention, violence against women and children, non-communicable diseases prevention and national voluntary blood donation.

It was explained that reproductive health should be a concern for all not just of women and that it   needs the attention of the entire family and  society.

Lecturers said the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health law says men and women are partners in reproduction and sexuality because men’s reproductive health and behavior impact on women’s reproductive health and their children’s well-being and the society as well.

Dr. Prescilla Pagada of the Provincial Health Office also lectured on the sexually transmitted infections that usually afflict men while Candice Wily and Dr. Cayad-an of the DOH discussed proper nutrition.-- PIA Ifugao