CANADA: Weaker Sex? Health Care & The Aging Boomer

Dr. Sherry Cooper discusses findings from her No. 1 bestselling book, "The New Retirement: How it will Change our Future" TORONTO, Canada (FoxBusiness), February 5, 2008: In the new bestselling book, The New Retirement: How it will Change our Future, Economist Dr. Sherry Cooper discusses significant differences between men and women when it comes to increasing longevity in what should be the best years of life. - The best predictors of late-life happiness are no substance abuse (including food), a stable primary relationship, an active life, continuous education and mature coping skills. Cooper's research suggests that men are more likely to use tobacco, drink alcohol, and maintain an unhealthy weight. - In Canada, the average life expectancy for men is 77 years and for women 82 years. For just about every one of the leading causes of death, men die younger than women; for instance, cancer strikes one in two men, but only one in three women. - Men's greater vulnerability appears to start quite early. More male fetuses are conceived, but they are at a greater risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. As infants, newborn boys have a higher rate of mortality. On average, in any given year, roughly 105 boy babies are born for every 100 girls. Boys and men are believed to have weaker immune systems and may also recover more slowly from illness. Women are also less dare-devilish than men; they are more likely to wear their seatbelts and stick to the speed limit. Men suffer more accidental deaths and serious injuries, and they are more likely to die from their injuries. As a result, even though more baby boys are born, women begin to outnumber men their same age by about age 40, and the gap widens from there. - According to the 2005 U.S. census, nearly 44 per cent of women aged 65 and older are widowed, while only 13 per cent of men are widowers; Canadian statistics are similar. Also, 47 per cent of women aged 20 and over report that they are living without a spouse, up from 34 per cent in 1950. By the time they reach age 100, women outnumber men 8 to 1. As a result, women should be prepared to live without a partner for a significant number of years. - The incidence of heart disease, diabetes and cancer in people over age 50 is significantly higher for men than it is for women. One explanation is that women take better care of themselves: for instance, women are more likely to see a doctor for an annual checkup or when they suffer unexplained symptoms. They are also more likely to follow their doctors' orders, take the drugs their physicians prescribe, and are even more likely than men to have a flu shot. Women also read more about fitness and nutrition. They are more apt to take supplements, exercise and eat right. They are more inclined to join a health club, and use that membership! SOURCE: BMO Capital Markets Internet: www.bmo.com Copyright © 2008 CNW Group.