I've heard that the edge women have had often had over men, when it comes to living longer, has been diminishing. I've heard that has to do with the fact that more women have careers and long-term employment these days.
It has been said (by whoever says things - experts, I guess) that much of it has had to do with the facts that men have often had careers and/or long-term employment. It occurs to me, though, that men have often been the ones who eat lots of fat-loaded meals (maybe in response to cravings that can occur when one lives under stress and must keeping going, which is something that science now knows occurs). My father (a slender guy) used to eat the whole bacon and eggs (cooked in bacon grease) breakfast, doughnuts at work, meat sandwiches, and meat and potato for dinner every night. He'd put evaporated milk in his coffee, which he drank several times throughout the day. He died at 62 of a heart attack (probably needless to say). He was up at 5, had two hour-long commutes each day, got home after 5, ate his meat and potato meal, and then would often do thing around the house. He didn't rest much on either weekend day, and he'd be up until about midnight. He worked at the same place for 38 years.
Stay-at-home moms can have 24-hour-a-day work, can be stressed out and tired, and not get any breaks; but apparently, it may be a different type of stress than being out working. Besides, kids gradually require less non-stop work as they grow older. (Just my guesses, anyway)