Selection in utero contributes to the male longevity deficit
1School of Public Health, 15 University Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. rayc@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|February 25, 2011
Summary
Evolutionary biology explains male longevity deficits, but not their changing patterns. Selection in utero, influenced by social factors, may explain these variations in male lifespan.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Demography
- Human longevity
Background:
- The male longevity deficit, a persistent gap in lifespan between males and females, lacks comprehensive evolutionary explanations that account for temporal variations.
- Existing theories often focus on either evolutionary pressures or social factors, failing to integrate both perspectives.
Observation:
- Temporal variations in the male longevity deficit are not adequately explained by traditional evolutionary theories.
- Social processes are better suited to explain the variability in this deficit over time.
Findings:
- Selection in utero, a process influenced by both natural selection and social factors, may explain deviations in the male longevity deficit.
- Empirical tests using Swedish and English/Welsh data support the hypothesis that in utero selection against less fit males contributes to sex-specific longevity differences.
Implications:
- This research integrates evolutionary and social perspectives to explain male longevity patterns.
- Understanding in utero selection offers new insights into sex differences in lifespan and public health strategies.
- The findings highlight the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors shaping human health outcomes.
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