30 Statistics for Men’s Health Month

November is Men’s Health Month—and it’s an ideal time to check in on your health (or that of the men in your life!). Especially in physically demanding industries like construction, warehousing and other industrial segments, men are at a higher risk of everything from physical injury to addiction and heart disease. Read on for surprising statistics about men’s health in these industries, and in general. 

Industry-related statistics that affect men’s health

93.8% of construction workers are men

66.3% of warehousing and storage workers are men

71% of manufacturing workers are men

Construction workers face an increased risk of lung cancer

Construction and extraction workers had the second-highest number of fatalities in 2021 (951)

25.8% of construction workers smoke cigarettes (as compared to 15.4% of all workers)

3x as many construction workers use smokeless tobacco as compared to workers in all industries.

Construction workers are at a 14.8% higher risk of binge drinking than white-collar workers

1 in 4 construction workers are obese

 

Statistics about men’s health risks

Men have shorter life spans than women; in fact, by age 85, women outnumber men 2.6 to 1

The average lifespan of a male in the U.S. is 73.5 years (as compared to 79.3 years for women)—the largest gap in a quarter-century

72% of men in the U.S. do not meet the federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity

Men are 10 times more likely to get inguinal hernias than women 

Men are 5 times more likely to have aortic aneurysms than women

Men are twice as likely to suffer from emphysema than women

Men are almost twice as likely to get invasive melanoma than women (58,120 men and 39,490 women per year in the U.S.)

After the age of 65, healthcare spending per year is almost $1,000 more per person per year for men than women. 

Men are more likely to die from COVID-19 than women

About 30% more men die from diabetes than women

Men are more likely to die from cancer than women

72 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities were men

71 percent of pedestrian deaths are men

87 percent of cyclist deaths are men

92 percent of motorcyclist deaths are men

Women visit doctors at a 40% higher rate than men

Statistics about men’s mental health and addiction

83% of construction workers have experienced a mental health issue

Men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide than women

Men are more than twice as likely to die from alcohol-related causes than women

Men are two to three times more likely to abuse drugs than women 

40% of men have never discussed their mental health; 29% of those who haven’t say it’s because they are “too embarrassed”; 20% reference the “negative stigma” of mental health issues

 

A note about addiction

Construction as an occupation has the second-highest rates of alcohol use (behind mining), and industrial workers. The construction industry also lands in the top five for illicit drug use. But addiction is not merely a behavioral issue; it is a primary chronic disease of the brain. This disease affects neurotransmission in the brain’s reward centers, leading to addictive behaviors. Without treatment or involvement in a recovery process, addiction is a progressive condition that may result in disability or even death. These addictive behaviors often replace healthy ones. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, increased anxiety, heightened sensitivity to stress; impairment of behavioral control or other mental health issues, On Site Medical can help. 

From workplace injuries to health condition screening to mental health support, our staff is here to help keep the men—and women—on your crew healthy. Our services are available on-site, 24/7, ensuring convenient, accessible care with no-surprise pricing and no hidden costs. Contact us to learn more.