In developed countries women usually live longer (men have higher mortality)
 - Men have higher rates of cigarettes smoking and heavy drinking
 - Men have higher rates of risk taking (such as in recreation and driving)
 - Men have higher rates of suicide and homicide
 - Men have higher rates of employment in hazardous occupations
In developing countries, life expectancy is lower overall and the gender gap in mortality is smaller than in developed countries
 - Environmental factors such as unclean water, inadequate nutrition, and infectious diseases increase mortality rate equally for both sexes (so everyone dies early)
 - Maternal mortality is higher in developing countries
 - Women are less likely to be part of the work force and so do not suffer from the demands of working life, which usually entails manual labor in developing countries
 - Women have lower social status, so they are more likely to not be adequately cared for in their health needs