There is a shocking gap in health and longevity between males and females. Men die, on average, nearly six years earlier than women and have a higher mortality rate for all ten leading causes of death in America. Yet there is no known biological reason.

Perhaps the answer lies in social forces that teach men not to care for themselves, says author, physician, and CBS medical correspondent Emily Senay. Instead, caregiving falls to wives, partners, mothers, sisters, and daughters, who have never had a resource written specifically to help them understand and cope with the health issues of men and boys.

Until now. With an expert, intimate voice, Dr. Senay offers accessible, pragmatic information and anecdotes that follow males from conception through the arc of life. Mothers of sons will learn about the unique issues boys face as they grow, including:

- Health issues unique to baby boys

- The major health threats to boys -- accidents and injuries

- Understanding the higher risk of learning disabilities, including AD/HD and other developmental problems

- Weight issues and body image

- Knowing how and when to discuss sexuality

- Helping teenagers take healthy risks

- Understanding the new world of sports, including pressure for early specialization

For men, Dr. Senay covers such topics as:

- Helping him change -- how to work as partners to lose weight, improve diet, or quit smoking

- Helping your partner overcome denial, one of the biggest threatsto men's health

- Solving bedroom problems

- Helping him lower cholesterol and blood pressure

- Recognizing and treating depression and stress

- Essential medical tests every man should have

- Snoring and the promise of rest

As a mother, wife, daughter -- and doctor -- Emily Senay shares her readers' concern for the men in their lives -- and provides the answers women have been waiting for. And as men take better care of themselves, the longevity gap will close as their sons learn by example.