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Take care, gentlemen.

1. Heart disease. The No. 1 cause of death for men, regardless of race or ethnicity, is heart disease. Compared to women, men are more likely to smoke, drink, and abuse substances. Heart disease hits men at an earlier age, and they are more likely to overlook nagging symptoms, work through discomfort, and avoid seeing a doctor for early detection.
2. Cancer. After heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death among men. One in seven will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Lung and colon cancers also disproportionately affect men, who have a higher cancer mortality rate than women. In addition to pride, financial stress is another big reason why men avoid getting age-appropriate screenings.
3. Unintentional injuries. Following heart disease and cancer, unintentional injuries kill a lot of dudes. In fact, men are twice as likely to die from unintentional injuries than women, given their propensity to engage in riskier pursuits and jobs, and they are more likely to avoid safety regulations.
4. Mental health. While younger men have made great strides in communicating mental health, many men still treat mental health as highly taboo. As such, they avoid therapy and commit suicide far more often than women. Furthermore, the financial stress of providing for one’s family results in higher rates of depression and anxiety among men.
5. Less treatment. The U.S. Department of Health reports men are 24% less likely to visit a doctor annually. Many men view doctor’s visits as a waste of time and money, if they aren’t bedridden or exhibiting serious symptoms. But heart disease, cancers, harmful behaviors, and mental stress can all be reduced through annual doctor visits.

The more you know.