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Men's health is a field of study that has not received much
attention in the past but is now growing by leaps and bounds.
Increased interest in Men's health can be seen in the continued growth and
popularity of magazines on the topic.
The growing interest in men's health began with an increase
of interest in diseases of the prostate and testicle.
Prostate disease has always been extremely common, but there has been little
agreement about which treatments are most effective.
We know from statistics that half of the male population has what is referred to
as "benign prostates hyperplasia" by the time they are 60 years old. In addition
to this, 90% are diagnosed with the same condition by the time they are 85.
Prostate cancer has become the second most common cancer in men and the numbers
are only increasing.
Although a lot of things need to happen in terms of improving men's health, the
important effects of psychosocial pressures on men has gained considerably more
attention within our modern society. Statistics now show that most men are
likely to die younger from common diseases and are more likely to have unhealthy
lifestyles than are women. Men are also likely to drink too much alcohol, smoke
tobacco, and to eat a lot less of a healthy diet than women. Risk taking and
aggression are also common traits that are more prevalent among men.
Statistics show that it isn't just lifestyles and biology but society's
expectations of men that are causing much of the problems. These expectations
make men less able to recognize physical and emotional distress and to seek
help. Differences in status between groups of men are also of concern as are
social class differences. Research shows that men of lower social status suffer
more money problems, more stress and more feelings of disempowerment within the
workplace.
Fortunately, there is a lot of hope for effective interventions in men's health
that can remedy the inequalities faced by men. Some 12-step programs offer help
and suggest that men can be targeted, particularly at places where they meet
together regularly. Still, the prospects are often bleak unless individuals
themselves make a concerted effort to improve their overall health situation.
The health status for men will only be reached by addressing social inequalities
and by a greater attention to the pressing issues that plague many men today.
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