Consider taking care of your health to be as important as being strong, tough, or confident.

Sure, he looks tough. But is he afraid to go to the doctor's?

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—In the United States, the current life expectancy for women is 80 years; for men, it’s just 75. A new study’s findings provide insight into why men—even those with higher socioeconomic resources—don’t live as long as women. And the explanation is more about attitude than biology. According to Kristen Springer, PhD, assistant professor of sociology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, a Robert Wood Johnson Health & Society Scholar at Columbia University, and the study’s primary researcher, strongly endorsing “old school” masculine ideals makes men less likely to look after their health. “Midlife men with strong masculinity beliefs are 50 percent less likely than other men to get recommended preventive healthcare services, even controlling for many, many other factors,” says Springer.

THE DETAILS: Springer reviewed the responses of 1,000 men to statements about masculinity, such as “When a husband and wife make decisions about buying major things for the home, the husband should have final say,” and “A man should always try to project an air of confidence even if he really doesn’t feel confident inside.” She compared that to the subjects’ compliance with three commonly recommended annual procedures for midlife men: a complete physical exam, a flu shot, and a prostate examination. Men who scored highest on the test of macho beliefs were the least likely to go for the preventive care.

WHAT IT MEANS: There may be multiple reasons why men don't live as long as women, but this is one that guys can take charge of. If macho beliefs are a contributing factor when it comes to men’s lower life expectancies, what can be done to effect change? According to Springer, men need to rethink their notions of what masculinity means. “The biggest thing that people can do to help men overcome this is to change masculinity ideals so that people don’t equate manhood with being invulnerable," she says. Fortunately, there are some good models to follow. "Icons like Lance Armstrong are great examples of how men who are very masculine and successful can also be strong proponents of getting health care,” says Springer.