We all must have come across the phase: this is why women live longer than men. These are all over the social media, where men are performing more often than not, some experiments, without gears, just for fun, "in the name of science". The caption reads: this is why women live longer. However, is there really a science to it, other than the fact that women choose to do things more safely?

In the United States, women have a life expectancy of about 80, whereas men have 75. Women outlive men and this holds true regardless of the country women live, the money they make, and other factors. In fact, it is true for most other mammals too.

Dr Dena Dubal, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco told the New York Times, "It is a very robust phenomenon all over the world, totally conserved in sickness, during famines, during epidemics, even during the times of starvation."

But what are the reasons? These reasons are often more complicated and less established. It is important to note that only because women are outliving men does not mean they are living a better life. In fact, women tend to have shorter health spans, which means the number of healthy years in a person's life is less in women than men, confirmed Bérénice Benayoun, an associate professor at the U.S.C. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

As per a 2021 study titled, Sex differences in frailty: Comparisons between humans and preclinical models, found that women are more physically grail than men in old age. They are also more vulnerable, especially after menopause and are at more risk of developing cardiovascular issues and Alzheimer's disease because of age.

The key is in figuring out what makes one sex more resilient or vulnerable.

Genetics

For things which do not find easy explanations, scientists look for their answers in genes. Many research, including a 2020 study titled, The sex with the reduced sex chromosome dies earlier: a comparison across the tree of life, suggests that the XX set of female sex chromosomes may impact longevity. However, there has not been any clarity on how it affects longevity.

Another 2018 study titled, Female XX sex chromosomes increase survival and extend lifespan in aging mice, which was conducted by Dr Dubal's lab, looked at genetically manipulated mice with different combinations of sex chromosomes and reproductive organs. It was found that those with two X chromosomes and ovaries lived longest, followed by mice with two X chromosomes and testes. Mice with XY chromosomes had shorter life spans.

"There was something about the second X chromosome that was protecting the mice from dying earlier in life, even if they had testes. What if there was something on that second X chromosome that was in some ways a sprinkle of the fountain of youth," says Dr Dubal. While scientists have not yet looked at this factor in humans, Dr Dubal suggests that humans have the same hormones and sex chromosomes, and similar reproductive system that could corroborate the similar findings in people.

Hormones

Plenty research has shown that estrogen is responsible for longevity also effect on the immune system. The data also shows that before menopause, the female immune system tends to do better. In fact Dr Benayoun said that males tend to do much worse in response to infection.

Another 2017 study titled, Ages at Menarche and Menopause and Reproductive Lifespan As Predictors of Exceptional Longevity in Women: The Women's Health Initiative, found that women who experienced menopause later in life over the age 50 lived longer than those who experienced it earlier.

Lifestyle and Behavior

There are also disparity in behavioral patterns between men and women. This includes smoking, drinking heavily, which can contribute significantly to mortality. Women also have more "health promoting behavior", believe experts. Women are also more likely to socialize than men and thus it protects them from detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness. In fact, a 2023 analysis published in Jama Network, titled, Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US, 2010-2021, found that women are less likely to die by drug overdose or suicide.

Delhi-NCR witnessed unexpected showers in the city this year in the month of April. Before the heatwave could get as severe as it usually is every season, there were a few days where the national capital witnessed refreshing showers—but as it turns out, these showers often increase the risk of diseases like malaria. Yes, unexpected showers may bring temporary relief from heat, but they also quietly reset the risk for diseases like malaria. The concern today is not just rainfall, but how changing climate patterns are shifting the timeline of disease transmission—often weeks before the monsoon fully arrives.

Ahead of World Malaria Day, Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, spoke about the effects of such unexpected rains ahead of the monsoon season.

Has the malaria pattern changed?

Malaria has long been seen as a monsoon-linked illness, but that pattern is changing. Intermittent rainfall, rising temperatures, and increased humidity are now creating ideal breeding conditions much earlier in the year. Even a short spell of rain can lead to water accumulation in urban areas—on terraces, construction sites, in clogged drains, and in poorly managed storage spaces. These become hidden breeding grounds for mosquitoes, accelerating their life cycle and increasing the risk of early transmission.

When should you get tested for malaria?

From a healthcare perspective, this shift is significant. The first fever after early showers is often overlooked or dismissed as a seasonal viral infection. However, malaria in its early stage can closely resemble common viral illnesses, presenting with symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, body ache, and fatigue. This overlap frequently delays diagnosis. Any fever that persists beyond 2–3 days, recurs, or does not respond to basic treatment should be tested promptly. Early detection remains critical to preventing complications.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Early malaria can look like a common viral fever. The symptoms of the disease are:

1. Body aches
2. Fever
3. Chills
4. Weakness
5. Headaches

Malaria prevention matters

Waiting for the monsoon to begin preventive action is no longer effective. The response must start with the first signs of rain. Clearing drains, eliminating stagnant water, monitoring construction zones, and ensuring proper waste management are essential early steps. At the household level, covering water containers, maintaining clean terraces, and regular checks for water accumulation can significantly reduce risk. Some of the key precautions to take against malaria are the following:

1. Use a mosquito repellent before going outdoors
2. Wear long sleeves and light coloured clothes
3. Use bed nets
4. Avoid keeping the windows open, especially in the evening
5. Standing water are breeding ground for malaria; avoid water sit in coolers or pots for too long

A year-round public health priority

World Malaria Day serves as a reminder that malaria prevention is not seasonal—it is continuous. In an era of unpredictable weather patterns, cities and communities must adapt quickly. Acting only when cases begin to rise means reacting too late. The real shift lies in recognising that prevention must begin with the first unexpected shower, not the peak of the monsoon.

Urgent action is required to strengthen diagnostics and vaccines to address gaps in dengue treatment, public health experts said.

The experts, including scientists and policymakers, were speaking at a day-long dialogue hosted in New Delhi by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in collaboration with the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the WHO South-East Asia Region.

The convening assumes significance ahead of the monsoon season, which historically sees a rise in Aedes aegypti mosquito populations and dengue transmission across health systems in South and South-East Asia.

"The WHO South-East Asia Region alone accounts for more than half of the global dengue burden, with 1.3 billion people living at risk across 10 endemic countries," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer in charge, World Health Organization, South-East Asia Regional Office.

Dr. Boehme called the rising burden of dengue both an economic crisis and a social crisis. She noted that beyond health system costs, dengue often leads to "lost productivity, lost wages, lost futures".

"To change this trajectory, we must close the gap on diagnostics, on vaccines, on therapeutics, and on health system resilience," Dr. Boehme said.

Also read: New dengue vaccine over 80% effective, prevents severe disease for up to 5 years

India Advancing in Dengue Fight, Gaps Remain

India reported over 2.89 lakh dengue cases in 2023, though experts believe the actual burden could be significantly higher due to underreporting and surveillance gaps.

Taruna Madan Gupta, Scientist G and Head, Development Research Division, ICMR, called dengue an "unequivocally a national health priority for India."

Gupta noted that "India is advancing on multiple fronts—from strengthening public health systems to enabling public-private partnerships, including Phase III trials of an indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine with over 10,000 participants, and regulatory progress on global vaccines".

However, the expert flagged a critical gap, which is "the absence of an effective therapeutic" for the mosquito-borne disease.

The experts noted that even though there are improvements in surveillance and scientific understanding, patients still lack access to specific treatment options.

“Addressing this gap requires sustained commitment from governments, funders, and partners," said Dr Sanjay Sarin, Continental Lead Asia and Director South Asia, DNDi.

What Is Dengue?

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are most active during the daytime. Dengue fever typically has minor or no symptoms, but it can occasionally result in severe sickness, hospitalization, and even death.

Common Symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of high-grade fever.
• Intense headache
• Severe muscle, joint, or bone pain.
• Skin Rash that often appears 2–5 days after the fever starts
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fatigue

It estimates that:

• About 390 million dengue infections occur annually worldwide
• Nearly 100 million people develop symptoms each year

These vaccines are designed to protect against all four serotypes of the virus, with a focus on reducing severe disease and hospitalizations.

In today’s fast-paced, wellness-driven world, looking fit does not always translate to being reproductively healthy. Currently, even fit and active individuals are facing fertility challenges due to hidden hormonal and metabolic imbalances. Hence, it is necessary to focus on reproductive health. Dr. Meenu Handa, Director of Fertility & Head Academic of Reproductive Medicine, Motherhood Hospitals, Gurgaon, decoded the link and listed some of the common fertility issues that most people overlook.

Now, a large number of people are opting for various activities such as yoga, Zumba, Pilates, the gym, and kickboxing to stay fit. Those who are health-conscious are also maintaining an optimum weight with a proper diet. These habits, in turn, can help to ensure good fertility. Shockingly, many people who are perfectly fit and fine on the outside may also struggle with fertility problems. Yes, that is right! This is also a common occurrence nowadays. Couples are panicking as they seem to adhere to a well-balanced lifestyle but still fail to conceive. So, this can be referred to as “invisible fertility issues," where underlying hormonal or metabolic imbalances silently affect reproductive health.

Decoding invisible fertility issues

Dr Handa said that many men and women who exercise regularly may suffer from issues such as hormone imbalance, fluctuating insulin levels, poor thyroid function, and compromised reproductive organ health. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, insulin resistance, and even chronic stress can exist without obvious physical signs and can take a toll on fertility. The expert also shared some of the common hidden infertility issues.

Even couples who are physically fit today often deal with high mental stress due to demanding jobs and poor work-life balance. This ongoing stress can quietly disturb hormonal balance in the body. Increased cortisol levels may affect ovulation in women and sperm production in men and, over time, can impact egg and sperm quality—making natural conception more difficult. That is why managing stress is just as important as staying physically fit when planning a pregnancy.

Women may have issues like poor ovulation, compromised egg quality, or hormonal imbalance, even if their menses tend to be regular. In some cases, even subtle symptoms like fatigue, acne, hair fall, or mood swings may be overlooked but can signal deeper hormonal concerns. Men can struggle with low sperm count, which can affect their fertility. Even insufficient sleep, excessive exercise, or extreme dieting can increase the chances of hormonal imbalance and fertility issues. It is necessary to consult an expert and seek timely help. Pollution and lifestyle stress also contribute to the trend.

Couples should not just plan a pregnancy because they are fit and exercise daily. Pregnancy should not rely only on outward fitness as a sign of reproductive health. Regular health check-ups, including hormone tests and fertility assessments, can help identify hidden issues early.

Follow these tips

1. Couples should eat a well-balanced diet, exercise daily, stay stress-free by practicing yoga and meditation, and get enough rest.
2. It is also imperative to maintain blood pressure and blood sugar levels within the recommended range, include healthy fats and proteins in the diet, avoid overtraining, and manage stress through relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, which can support hormonal balance.
3. If a couple is unable to conceive even after 6–12 months of trying (depending on age), a detailed fertility evaluation is recommended.
4. Seeking timely medical advice is equally important if conception is delayed.
5. Couples who find it challenging to conceive may be advised to use ARTs, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

So, awareness, balanced lifestyle choices, and timely medical support can make a huge difference in improving fertility outcomes.