The Russian life expectancy thing has been interesting for decades. There is a large gap between women and men LE.
The most careful studies were not able to declare it is the result of alcohol. It appears to be an Eastern Europe genetic issue.
You see similar 9+ year splits female/male in Moldova, Kazahkstan, Ukraine and others. Russian alcohol consumption is 7 liters per capita. This is lower than the UK and US.
Yeah, but Russian alcohol consumption is mostly vodka and US and UK alcohol consumption is mostly beer, isn’t it?