The tougher sex.

Today, the lifespan of women tends to exceed that of men by about 6 years. Why is this, and has it always been the case? The programme seeks answers to these questions in present day circumstances affecting lifespan, in fruitfly research, in the records of the Office for National Statistics and in the analysis of 18th century human remains discovered in the crypt of St. George's Church, Spitalfields. Geneticist Prof. Steve Jones (University College, London) discusses the hereditary effects of social class and prosperity and Prof. David Barker, epidemiologist (University of Southampton), explains the importance of maternal nutrition and good ante-natal care in the lifespan of future generations.