Celebrating International Men’s Day for the benefit of men’s health, equality, and positive wellbeing
International Men’s Day (IMD) is an annual event observed on November 19th, dedicated to raising awareness on issues affecting men globally and promoting positive masculinity. The day is an opportunity to celebrate men’s contributions to society, highlight their achievements and address the challenges they face today.
The objectives of International Men’s Day includes promoting positive role models, addressing gender stereotypes, promoting gender equality and most importantly, highlighting men’s health concerns.
Health awareness, early detection and healthy lifestyle choices are each given great significance on International Men’s Day, drawing attention to the fact that can all help to prevent ill-health and potentially save lives, especially in the case of male-specific health challenges.
Here are the key considerations of why men’s health is so important today:
1. Life expectancy disparities: On average, men tend to have a shorter life expectancy than women. IMD highlights the need to address factors contributing to this disparity, such as occupational hazards, delays in seeking health advice as well as higher rates of heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and melanoma to name just a few conditions.
2. Prostate and testicular cancer awareness: Prostate cancer is a common health concern for men, with testicular cancer primarily affects younger men. International Men’s Day provides a platform to raise awareness about these conditions, emphasising the importance of regular screenings, early detection, and treatment.
3. Preventing and managing chronic conditions: Men are often at a higher risk for certain chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases. IMD highlights the significance of preventive measures, early intervention, and management of chronic health conditions through regular medical check-ups and lifestyle modifications.
4. Mental health awareness: Men may be less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to societal expectations around masculinity. IMD aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health problems and encourages open conversations about stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
5. Workplace health and safety: Given that men often work in occupations with higher rates of injury and occupational hazards, IMD remembers the importance of creating safer workplaces. It encourages discussions about occupational health and safety measures to protect men in their workplaces.
6. Encouraging healthy lifestyles: The day promotes a holistic approach to men’s health, including the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices. This involves encouraging regular exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
7. Access to healthcare services: IMD emphasises the importance of men actively seeking medical advice and regular health check-ups. It encourages healthcare providers to be more attentive to men’s health concerns and create an environment that encourages men to address health issues promptly.
By focusing on men’s health on International Men’s Day, there is an opportunity to bring about positive changes in societal attitudes towards men’s wellbeing, promote healthier lifestyle choices and reduce the stigma associated with men seeking help for physical and mental health issues. It encourages a more comprehensive approach to men’s health that encompasses both physical and mental wellbeing.
Addressing health issues that disproportionately affect men, such as shorter life expectancy, higher rates of workplace injuries and a reluctance to seek medical help, this day encourages discussions around both physical and mental health, encouraging men especially to open a dialogue about the challenges they face.
It is important to note that International Men’s Day does not seek to undermine or overshadow International Women’s Day, but rather to complement it by addressing gender-related issues from a male perspective. Both days contribute to fostering a more balanced and equitable society by acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by men and women. This is especially true across respective male and female health concerns as each require specialist diagnosis and treatment when necessary.