Men’s health: time for a new approach

Abstract

Background: Many men’s health outcomes are poor at the global level. Men have lower life and healthy life expectancies than women. They are more likely to die from cancer, cardiovascular disease, suicide, road traffic accidents and other major causes of death. They are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol excessively and eat a poor diet. In many countries and for many diseases, men use primary care services less effectively than women.

Objectives: The purpose of this article was to review the key data on men's health at the global level and explore explanations for men's outcomes, including health practices, use of services and health literacy and masculinities. The response of health organisations, the evidence of the impact of gender-sensitive interventions and the case for action on men's health were also considered.

Major findings: Despite the problems with men’s health, it has been largely overlooked by national and global health organisations. When organisations do focus on gender, action is usually targeted at women and girls rather than both sexes. There is an increasing body of evidence that sex-specific initiatives can also be effective.

Conclusions: If population health is to be improved, and if good health is a universal right, steps must be taken to improve men’s health as well as women’s. There is a role for male-targeted health policies (building on the lessons of national men’s health policies in Ireland, Brazil and Australia) as well as changes to service delivery. There is not a choice to be made between men’s health and women’s health: this need not be a zero sum game. Action is needed for both sexes and improving the health of men will also improve the health of women.

Keywords:

• Men
• Men’s
• Male
• Masculinity
• Masculinities
• Global