According to the Australian Government, the leading cause of male death in 2020 was coronary heart disease, accounting for 10,040 (12%) deaths, followed by dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
For females, dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, was the leading cause of death, accounting for 9,325 (12%), followed by coronary heart disease.
Other diseases among the five leading causes of death for males and females were cerebrovascular disease (which includes stroke), lung cancer, breast cancer (for females) and prostate cancer (for males).
Chronic lower respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are the third leading cause of death for men in the United States. COPD is a progressive disease that makes it difficult to breathe.
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to become inflamed and swollen, leading to difficulty breathing.
Unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, and drowning, are the fourth leading cause of death for males in the United States.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among men. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among men, while drowning is the third leading cause.
Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death for males in the United States. Suicide is the result of a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Men need to seek help if they are feeling depressed or overwhelmed with life. Talking to a mental health professional can help men cope with difficult situations and find healthier ways of dealing with stress.
If you are between 55 and 64 and think your health is not an issue, consider the following image and rethink your situation.
It makes no difference how much you have put aside for retirement or paid for income protection. The bottom line is that your family needs you to live, and that means you need to take action to extend the quality and length of your life. That journey starts with a single step followed by another.
Your health is a choice, followed by an action and finished with commitment.