What is "Men's Health"?
The concept of 'Men's Health' is very new in Canada.
For many, the term 'Men's Health' is associated only with prostate or testicular cancer, particularly since we have an aging population. Others might include erectile dysfunction or impotence as well.
While not taking away from the seriousness of these issues, the health of men involves many other issues.
"Men do not give enough priority to health issues..."
|
In fact, Men's Health deals with the diverse lives of men, including their families and communities. Similar to Women's Health, Men's Health takes a broad determinants
of health approach to overall well-being, considering physical, social, emotional, cultural, environmental, psychological, spiritual and economic variables.
The State of Men's Health in Canada
Quite simply, in comparison to their female counterparts, men do not give enough priority to health issues. This occurs at all ages and regardless of individual backgrounds. It is not just true in Canada, but throughout the world.
When reviewing the leading causes of death for men and women in Canada, the rate at which men die from specific causes exceeds the rate for women in virtually every category. In some areas, like suicide, the difference is startling, almost 4:1.
But statistics about the results of unhealthy male behaviour don't even begin to answer broader health related questions such as:
- Why are men's lives on average 7 years shorter than those of women?
- Why do men die from heart disease in mid-life at such high levels?
- Why don't men regularly see health professionals?
- Why do males have so much trouble seeking support for personal problems?
- Why don't men volunteer as mentors more often for younger men and boys?
- Why do men commit suicide so frequently in old age?
- Why are males displaying more body image problems including anorexia and bulimia?
- Why are males the overwhelming perpetrators of violence in our society?
Exposing the Male "Code"
A part of the answer to these questions is inherent in what has been described as a 'code' for being male. This 'code' can be heard in the playgrounds of our schools, in most workplaces and from the people we idolize and emulate - our hockey players and other sports heroes.
Ask men or young boys what it means 'to be a man',
and the replies inevitably include:
- be tough
- be strong
- be successful
- be self reliant
- don't cry
- don't ask for help
- hide your pain
This 'code' helps to explain why men in their 50's drop from 'sudden' heart attacks, why drunken men can abuse their children and spouses and why men suffering depression do so in silence.
The 'code' embodies the single most significant health issue that faces men, the often destructive role expectations of being male, expectations that reinforce outdated and often dangerous patterns of behaviour.
A Healthier Vision: Learning to Change
So how do we get men to live healthier lives when getting them to see a doctor is hard enough?
One of the critical challenges of 'Men's Health' is to communicate positive messages about the importance of taking care of all aspects of their health to males of all ages.
A significant benefit of 'Men's Health' is its potential to contribute to improving the health of women, children, our communities and environment. We need more men to understand the enormous impact their behaviors, values and lifestyles have on everyone. As a society, we need to provide men with more resources and opportunities to help them make changes in these areas.
A place to start would be to see where Women's Health initiatives have been successful, and to adapt the tools, knowledge and skills from these approaches. Then more and more men will need to become more involved to teach other men, particularly young men and boys, new attitudes and behaviours regarding their health.
Men's Health truly is a 'New Frontier' for men, an opportunity to leave behind the narrow and destructive identity of 'being a man' and instead explore the reality of simply 'being human'.
Men's Health Links:
- Australian Men's Health Information and Resource Centre (MHIRC)
- Men's Health Consulting
- UK Men's Health Forum
- US Men's National Health Network
- US National Women's Health Information Centre
- The White Ribbon Campaign
- Men Web
- Mayo Clinic
- Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Network
- Prostate Cancer Alliance of Canada
|
This article was prepared by Joe Jacobs, director of Toronto Men's Health Network for the 
