Gender differences in survival across the ages of life: an introduction

Abstract

This thematic series explores the complex nature of the survival gap between genders across the lifespan. It highlights how, although women generally have a longer life expectancy than men globally, the complexity of this advantage challenges simplistic explanations. The text emphasizes several areas of interest, such as mortality differences between genders at different life stages, the aging process, and epidemiological differences between the sexes. Additionally, it discusses the role of biological and socio-behavioral factors in explaining the female survival advantage and how this gap has evolved and been influenced by historical, behavioral, and lifestyle changes. With six compelling articles from diverse disciplinary angles, this series underscores the interdisciplinary approach essential for unraveling the intricacies of gender differences in survival across the lifespan.