Women live longer than men even during severe famines and epidemics.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Historical demographic cohort analysis across multiple crisis populations (by design analogy).
PubMed 29311321 · doi:10.1073/pnas.1701535115
What was done
The authors analyzed sex-specific mortality and life expectancy data across seven historical populations experiencing extreme mortality conditions from famines, epidemics, and slavery to test whether the female survival advantage persists under severe environmental stress.
What was found
In all seven populations, females experienced lower mortality across almost all age groups. Except for one slave population, women lived longer on average than men. Gender differences in infant mortality contributed most significantly to the life expectancy gap, indicating newborn girls survived extreme hazards better than newborn boys. The abstract reports no exact mortality numbers or life expectancy estimates.
Why it matters
By demonstrating that the female survival advantage persists under extreme crises and is most pronounced in infancy when social and behavioral differences are minimal, the study supports a fundamental biological basis for female resilience, modulated by environmental and social factors.
Limits
The abstract does not provide exact numerical data, effect sizes, or the total number of individuals included. The analysis is limited to seven historical demographic records, which may have recording biases, and the longevity advantage did not hold in one slave population.
Cited by
- supports The sex gap in human longevity, with women living longer than men, is consistent across different cultures and countries.