"Men are the stronger sex." That's a relentlessly enduring cultural belief. Despite its tenacity, it seems nothing could be further from the truth.
On average, men die more than five years younger than women, and they're more likely to die from all leading causes of death. They're also more likely than women to suffer severe, chronic diseases. June is National Men's Health Month - and a good time to reflect on these facts. And the news isn't all bad. When I started researching men's health 20 years ago, men were dying 8 years younger than women.
Although the gender gap has narrowed, an estimated half of all men still die early deaths that scientists say could have been prevented. And there are significant differences among men. Black men die six years younger than white men. The main reason why men die younger is what we do - and don't do.
Compared to women, we have worse diets, are more overweight, have higher blood pressure and do less to control it, have riskier driving habits, use less sun protection, and use more drugs and alcohol. And the list goes on.
Making matters worse, we don't see doctors enough. Twice as many men as women don't even have a doctor, and 3 times more men haven't seen a doctor in over five years.