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When it comes to men’s health in America, there’s progress worth recognizing. Smoking rates have hit an all-time low and due to improved technologies, we’re getting better at treating male-oriented conditions like prostate cancer.
But there are also areas that deserve attention. Men are facing earlier-onset cardiovascular risks, increasing mental health challenges, and a persistent gap in preventive care engagement. These trends point to a broader pattern: many of the most significant health risks men face don’t develop overnight. They build gradually over time—often quietly and without obvious symptoms—before becoming more serious.
Men's health in America: Key statistics
From heart disease to preventive care, these statistics highlight some of the biggest challenges facing men's health today.
No. 1 leading cause of death: Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men in the United States.
41.9% had prediabetes: Approximately 41.9% of U.S. men had prediabetes between 2017 and 2020.
72% would rather do chores: In one survey, 72% of men said they'd rather do household chores than visit the doctor.
3–4 times as likely to die by suicide: Men are approximately three to four times as likely to die by suicide as women in the United States.
34% get insufficient sleep: Approximately 34% of U.S. men report sleeping fewer than seven hours per night.
Why do men develop heart disease earlier than women?
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. But it tends to develop an average of 10 years earlier in men compared to women—as early as age 35. Men are also more likely to experience a heart attack earlier in life and may have fewer noticeable warning signs before a major cardiac event. Around 45% of heart attacks are deemed “silent” and strike men more than women.
Risk factors for men include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity and visceral fat (deep fat that surrounds vital organs)
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive alcohol use
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cholesterol
- Smoking
- Chronic stress
Cardiovascular disease is not always obvious. It often progresses silently over decades since arterial plaque can build up gradually and without symptoms until a serious event like a heart attack or stroke occurs. This makes early monitoring—like regular blood pressure checks, body composition analysis, and cholesterol checks—especially important.
Related: Is your heart healthy and strong?
Metabolic disease is rising and often goes undetected
Metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance and prediabetes, is increasingly common in men. Men tend to develop key components of metabolic dysfunction—such as elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abnormal triglycerides—as soon as early adulthood, with these risk factors often progressing across midlife.
More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults have prediabetes, and rates are notably higher in men–approximately 41.9% of men vs. 34.3% of women per CDC data from 2017 to 2020. Rates of obesity and visceral fat accumulation are on the rise. And men have a higher tendency to accumulate this type of dangerous deep organ fat compared to pre-menopausal women. These metabolic changes are closely linked to cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of serious long-term health complications.
Men can appear healthy while underlying metabolic shifts are already in progress, as many of these changes occur silently. For instance, statistics show that 8 in 10 people who are prediabetic don’t know they have it.
Testosterone decline is gradual, but impactful
When women undergo menopause, hormones decline fast. Age-related hormonal changes occur in men at a more gradual pace. Men generally start to lose testosterone around their mid 30s to early 40s, with levels declining around 1% per year.
As testosterone levels drop, it can affect a man’s:
- Muscle mass and bone density
- Sex drive and performance
- Mood and energy levels
- Metabolic health
- Sleep and recovery
- Cognitive function
These changes are often subtle and may be misattributed to aging, stress, or lifestyle.
What are the most common cancers affecting men?
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in men, and certain types tend to disproportionately affect them. These include:
- Prostate cancer: The most frequently diagnosed cancer in men aside from non-melanoma skin cancers
- Colorectal cancer: Rates are rising at an alarming rate in younger adults, including men under 50
- Lung cancer: The second most common cancer in U.S. men
According to the American Cancer Society, it’s estimated that global cancer cases are expected to increase by 84% in men by the year 2050, and deaths by 93%.
Many cancers, like colon cancer, don’t show symptoms until they are in advanced stages that are more difficult to treat. And more than half of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in distant stages, after the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Cancer caught earlier has a much better survival rate, making advised regular screening especially important.
Related: Colorectal cancer is surging in people under 50. The mystery is why.
Men should have:
- A Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test by age 55—or sooner based on their individual health history and doctor’s guidance
- A colonoscopy starting at age 45—your doctor will advise when to have a follow-up based on your results and health history.
- A low dose CT scan to check for lung cancer if you are considered high-risk (a 20 pack or more smoking history and smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and are between ages 50 and 80).
Related: More than half of men in the dark about prostate cancer signs, Prenuvo survey reveals
Men are less likely to engage in preventive care
When it comes to preventative care, men are much less likely to partake. Research shows they’re less likely to attend routine checkups, more likely to delay care until symptoms worsen, and often avoid discussing their mental or physical health concerns. In a survey by the Cleveland Clinic, 72% of men said they’d rather do household chores than see the doctor, while 20% admitted they had not been completely honest with their doctor in the past.
This avoidance often stems from cultural expectations that men are supposed to “tough it out,” fear of what a physician might tell them, or the belief that they are invincible. Over time, this can lead to delayed care, more advanced disease at detection, and poorer health outcomes.
Mental health challenges are increasing
Mental health is an important and often under-addressed aspect of men’s health. Nearly 1 in 10 men experience anxiety or depression, and less than half seek out treatment to help. While men are diagnosed with depression at half the rate of women, they are 3 to 4 times more likely to die by suicide.
Men are also less likely to seek mental health support overall, even when facing similar symptoms as women. Stress, social expectations, and reluctance to discuss emotional health all play a role. This can lead to gaps in diagnosis and delayed treatment.
Sleep and lifestyle patterns impact long-term health
Sleep is important for everything from brain function to heart health, metabolism function, mood, and disease resistance. While women are more likely to have insomnia, men still can experience their share of poor sleep. Around 34% of U.S. men report getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night. And men are significantly more likely to have sleep apnea than women. Some studies show that 24% of young to middle-aged men and 70% of older men struggle with sleep-disordered breathing. Irregular routines tied to work and stress can also increase a man’s chances of having a poor night’s sleep.
Sleep disruption is linked to an increased risk of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic dysfunction (like diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver)
- Cognitive decline
- Mood disorders
- Reduced immune function
Body composition is changing, and matters more than weight
Aging and lifestyle factors can lead to increases in visceral fat alongside a gradual loss of muscle mass—changes that can significantly impact long-term health. Visceral fat is fat that is stored deep within the abdominal cavity that surrounds organs like the liver, intestines, and pancreas. In excess, it’s strongly linked to chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and even some cancers.
Age also brings muscle loss. Known as sarcopenia, this can begin as early as age 30, when men begin to lose 3% to 5% of their muscle mass per decade. Throughout their lifetimes, most men will lose around 30% of their muscle mass, impacting strength, mobility, and metabolic health.
Muscle mass plays an important role in regulating metabolism, supporting insulin sensitivity, and promoting long-term longevity.
Research has shown that lower muscle mass is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, while higher muscle mass is linked to better brain health and increased longevity. Studies actually show that muscle health may be a better predictor of longevity than BMI alone.
While some age-related muscle loss is inevitable, actions like resistance training and increasing protein in your diet can help to offset it. Checking in on your body composition can help guide lifestyle changes, as muscle loss and visceral fat gain can be gradual and can occur without obvious signs beyond weight.
Chronic stress is impacting whole body health
Stress in America is on the rise. And instead of just something that can cause a foul mood, it’s increasingly being recognized as a whole body health driver. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2025 Stress in America report, a significant share of men report ongoing stress. Younger men in particular are more likely to say they feel overwhelmed, with 51% of men ages 18 to 34 reporting they experience high levels of stress.
Chronic stress is associated with:
- Elevated cortisol and inflammation
- Cardiovascular strain: Elevated blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
- Metabolic changes: Weight gain, increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal issues like IBS.
- Immune system suppression: Increased susceptibility to viral infections, slower recovery times
- Musculoskeletal pain: Chronic muscle tension, headaches, and jaw clenching
- Mood disorders: Anxiety and depression
- Cognitive decline: Impaired memory, poor focus, difficulty with decision-making, and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Sleep disturbances: Insomnia and fragmented sleep
Related: How stress affects your entire body
A more proactive approach to men’s health
Many men’s health conditions, like the ones listed above, can develop gradually and often without clear symptoms. Changes such as arterial stiffness or shifts in body composition, for instance, can go unnoticed for years.
Prenuvo’s Memberships are designed to help provide visibility into these changes and track them over time. By combining whole body MRI, blood testing, and clinical interpretation, Prenuvo provides a detailed view of health including organ function, structural changes, and body composition.
This broader view can help identify potential issues sometimes before symptoms appear and support more informed conversations with healthcare providers.
Related: The new proactive health standards for men
Get ahead of the risks that affect men the most. To learn more about the benefits of whole body MRI, blood labs, or how else Prenuvo could help you with your health goals, book a call with a member of the Patient Services Team.
