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. 2006 Mar;17(1):74-97.
doi: 10.1007/s12110-006-1021-z.

An evolutionary life-history framework for understanding sex differences in human mortality rates

Daniel J Kruger  1 , Randolph M Nesse  2
Affiliations

An evolutionary life-history framework for understanding sex differences in human mortality rates

Daniel J Kruger et al. Hum Nat. 2006 Mar.

Abstract

Sex differences in mortality rates stem from genetic, physiological, behavioral, and social causes that are best understood when integrated in an evolutionary life history framework. This paper investigates the Male-to-Female Mortality Ratio (M:F MR) from external and internal causes and across contexts to illustrate how sex differences shaped by sexual selection interact with the environment to yield a pattern with some consistency, but also with expected variations due to socioeconomic and other factors.

Keywords: Life history; Mortality; Sex differences; Sexual selection.

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