Men, don’t look now, but the ladies are winning the game of life. They’re up by five – years, that is. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), women live approximately five years longer than men. Want to even the score? You can start by following a new game plan.

Take care of your heart. 
The number one killer of American men (and women) is heart disease. Men, however, are at greater risk of having a heart attack and experiencing one earlier in life than women. On a positive note, men have a better chance of surviving a stroke than women.

Don’t light up. 
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Smoking also contributes to chronic lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Slow down. 
Men are more than twice as likely to be involved in fatal car accidents – and be intoxicated -- as women. 

Take a test. 
If diabetes is not diagnosed by a blood glucose test and properly managed, it can result in blindness, loss of limb, impotence or life-threatening heart disease and stroke.

Okay men, now it’s time to put a new game strategy into action. You’ll be off to a great start by going to your doctor for check-ups and screenings.