Academic Journal
Main Category: Men's health
Article Date: 30 Nov 2011 - 9:00 PST
email to a friend 
printer friendly 
opinions 
Experts have stated on bmj.com that policies targeted specifically at men's health in Europe must urgently be improved. Professor Alan White, at Leeds Metropolitan University and his team state that their report demonstrates that action is required throughout the course of life of a male, and that in every setting as there are noted differences in health outcomes between men that are closely linked to their biology, culture and socioeconomic realities.
Working age men all across Europe have a substantially higher mortality rate compared with their female working counterparts. This specifically applies to those living in Eastern Europe, which translates into too many avoidable premature deaths that place a heavy burden on families, communities and economies.
The researchers discovered however, that the most substantial and concerning findings in differences in men's health outcomes were noted between men in different social classes who live in the same country. This was mainly due to social determinants like education and employment. They noted that men in the lowest socio-economic groups have the poorest health of all in every country.
The researchers dispute the fact that public health tends to dominate negative portrayals of men and masculinity, blaming men for not attending health services and for risking their health.
The authors wrote:
"This is not helpful, we should use strategies that work with men
in a constructive way."
Which leaves the question on how men's health can be improved in Europe.
According to the researchers, there is..
". . . a need for a visible, integrated focus on boys' and men's health within primary and secondary school curriculums that can foster positive models of physical, psychological, and social development."
Boys need to become better informed so that they can make healthier decisions throughout their lives.
They add that for business, it is necessary that employers and unions collaborate in order "to promote men's health in the workplace", whilst policies targeting marginal groups of men should also not be overseen, as these also represent important areas for action.
The researchers state that there are still many hurdles to overcome in terms of men using health care, yet a more beneficial strategy would be to provide services that engage men more effectively, such as bringing health services to men in different settings, including pubs, schools, sports clubs and youth centers, which have already proved popular in reaching men in need.
Studies should focus more on how different views of masculinity influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors.
The researchers conclude:
"In policy, practice, and research there is a pressing need to examine the 'problems' with men's health and to tackle the underlying causes as well as the symptoms. This demands appropriate intersectoral and intergovernmental responses at both EU and national level."
Gregory Malcher a general practitioner in Australia points out in a linked comment that only Ireland has a national men's health policy, writing:
"It seems that in much of the EU men's health has not yet sufficiently entered the political, or medical, consciousness to yield meaningful changes in service delivery."
Although he thinks that men's health in Europe has a long way to go, he comments that this report "represents a springboard to an exciting future."
Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Alan White et al.
BMJ 2011;343:d7397
”The state of men’s health in Europe”
Gregory Malcher
BMJ 2011;343:d7054
MLA
8 Dec. 2011.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.
All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.
