Gender gap in life expectancy: the impact of mortality from external causes in Minas Gerais, Brazil (1980-2018)

The gender gap in life expectancy reflects broader social inequalities. Despite advances in longevity, gender disparities persist, especially in mortality from external causes. These often-preventable causes raise the male mortality rate. In Minas Gerais, the extent and nature of these disparities and the impact of external causes have not been adequately explored. This study examines the impact of mortality from external causes on the gender gap in life expectancy in Minas Gerais from 1980 to 2018. Using scenarios of mortality reduction from external causes (25%, 50%, 75%, and total elimination), the study calculates the change generated by different scenarios in life expectancy at birth. Death data were combined with population data to calculate multiple decrement life tables. The results suggest that reducing external causes significantly decreases the gender gap in life expectancy. Eliminating 25% of external causes would already reduce the male disadvantage, with more pronounced gains as the proportion of eliminated causes increases. In a scenario of total elimination, the male disadvantage would drop drastically, also reflecting changes in the social and cultural norms that perpetuate these practices.