Men’s Health Week and Men’s Health Month raise awareness of how these aspects work together and remind men to take charge of their health.

The focus on men's health stems from several key factors that highlight the need for dedicated attention and intervention. Here are some of the primary reasons:

Health Disparities:

Men often have shorter life expectancies compared to women. In many countries, the life expectancy for men is several years less than for women.

Men are more likely to suffer from certain health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which contribute to higher mortality rates.

Risky Behaviours:

Men are more likely to engage in behaviours that increase health risks, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Higher rates of substance abuse and lower rates of seeking medical help also contribute to poorer health outcomes.

Mental Health:

Men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to stigma and cultural expectations around masculinity.

This contributes to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among men. Suicide rates are significantly higher in men compared to women.

Preventive Care:

Men are less likely to engage in preventive health measures, such as regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations.

Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to worse outcomes for conditions that could be managed or treated more effectively if caught early.

Occupational Hazards:

Men are more likely to work in high-risk occupations that expose them to physical danger, hazardous substances, and stress, leading to higher rates of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Biological Differences:

Certain diseases and conditions affect men differently than women due to biological and genetic differences, necessitating tailored approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Educational and Outreach Efforts:

There is a need for more targeted health education and outreach efforts to raise awareness among men about the importance of health maintenance and early intervention.

By focusing on men’s health, healthcare providers and policymakers aim to address these disparities, promote healthier lifestyles, encourage preventive care, and ultimately improve health outcomes for men.

Here are some other important facts about men’s health to know:

• The overall mortality rate is 41 percent higher for men than women, and it’s higher for men for 8 out of 10 leading causes of death—including heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. 

• 31 percent of men suffer depression in their lifetime and 9 percent of men have daily feelings of depression or anxiety. But only 1/4 talk to a mental health professional, and only 1/3 take medication. Pay attention to signs of depression and don’t be afraid to seek help. 

• Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United Kingdom. A man is 2 to 3 times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father, brother or son had it. Talk to your doctor about having PSA and DRE levels checked. 

• Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 16.5 million men of all ages across the United Kingdom. If you’re having problems, see a urologist and make sure it’s not an early warning sign for something more serious, like heart disease, high blood pressure or high blood sugar.