Why do men die earlier? The Contribution of Causes of Death to Sex Differences in Mortality in Iranian provinces, 2016

In almost all societies and at all ages, men have a higher mortality rate than women. In this study, the contribution of the main causes of death in the increase of male mortality in the provinces of Iran in 2016 has been analyzed.

Provincial death data by age group, sex and causes of death were obtained from the registration system of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. After correcting the under registration of death data, using the standard life table technique, life expectancy at birth was calculated for men and women in the provinces of Iran. Finally, the role of the main causes of death in the sex differences of life expectancy at birth was calculated.

The increase in women’s life expectancy in Iran ranged from 2 years in Kohgoluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces to 4 years in Fars and Hamedan provinces in 2016. This figure was 3 years in Iran. Unintentional accidents, cardiovascular disease, and cancers and tumors are the most important causes of sex differences in life expectancy at birth in favor of women. However, there are significant differences in the share of major causes of death in sex differences in life expectancy at the provincial level.

Behavioral and lifestyle factors are the most important factors of sex difference in life expectancy at birth in Iran, which due to its preventability, with proper planning, can reduce the sex difference in death and help increase life expectancy.