why do women live longer than men

Women live longer than men due to a combination of behavioral, genetic, and biological factors. Women tend to have healthier lifestyles, such as better diets, lower rates of smoking and drinking, and more frequent medical care. Genetically, women have two X chromosomes, which can compensate for harmful mutations on one chromosome, whereas men have only one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, which may lead to higher susceptibility to certain diseases. Additionally, sex hormones like estrogen may positively influence immunity and longevity in women, while testosterone in men is linked to riskier behavior and higher cardiovascular disease rates. This survival advantage is also seen in many other mammals, suggesting evolutionary and genetic roots to the difference in lifespan. However, women often live longer with more health limitations in later life compared to men.