‘Toxic masculinity’: the problem with men

Abstract

Why are men such notoriously poor patients? Compared with women, they ignore symptoms for longer, avoid visiting the doctor if they can and practise riskier behaviour. On average they die around five years sooner, live with more years of ill health and have higher depression and suicide rates. Now, with growing recognition that treating preventable causes of death and disability could help to close the medical gender gap, there is an urgent need to persuade men to take better care of themselves and seek the care that they require.