Let's hear it for the boys!

Men’s Health Week, 12 — 18 June

Did you know that globally, men die, on average, six years earlier than women? Or that in the UK, 20% of men (that’s 1 in 5) will die before the age of 65?

Most of these deaths occur due to reasons that are largely preventable, so what’s behind the worrying statistics?

Awareness and Lifestyle

Men and boys typically engage less with their health than women: they are less likely to talk about health issues with their friends or peers, tend to have much lower levels of symptom awareness, are less likely to make use of primary care and preventative services, and often lead unhealthier lifestyles—67% of men are overweight or obese, and they tend to smoke and drink more and at higher-risk levels.

Culture and Attitudes

Traditional beliefs around masculinity mean that men are more likely to delay seeking help for health problems, feeling that they should simply ‘man up’ and ‘just get on with things’. This means that they often don’t visit their doctor until a much later stage in an illness, when treatments are likely to be less effective.

The shocking stats

• 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male

• Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer generally, and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women

• Middle-aged men are twice as likely to develop diabetes and twice as likely to be undiagnosed

• 4 out of 5 suicides are by men, and suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under 35

The Big Three

Employers can play a crucial role in raising awareness among working-age men of the health issues that disproportionately affect them. Men’s Health Week (13-19 June) is a perfect opportunity to get your male employees to start engaging with their own health.

Here are the top three things that every man should be doing right now to reduce their risk of the biggest killers in men:

Cancer

The most common types of cancer in men are prostate, bowel, and lung cancer (along with testicular cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 49). Educate yourself on the symptoms, get to know what’s normal for your body, and if you notice a change, don’t wait to go and get checked out by your GP – cancer is much more treatable when caught early.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD)

Making positive lifestyle changes can help to reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. Move more, drink less, and if you’re a smoker, seek support to quit. It’s also important that you attend any health screening you are offered - from the age of 40, all men are entitled to a free midlife MOT from the NHS, to check your risk factors for developing CVD, as well as other common diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

Mental Health

If you’re struggling with low mood, depression or anxiety, don’t shrug it off—talk to your family and friends about how you’re feeling. Starting conversations about your own mental health may also encourage others to open up about theirs – listen and take it seriously when they do.