On the 13th – 19th June the world celebrates Men’s health Week 2023. Men’s Health Week 2023 aims to raise awareness of preventable health issues and encourage early disease detection and treatment. It focuses on encouraging men to discuss and address potential health issues.
The key message of Men’s Health Week 2023 is that prevention is better than cure. Many of the health problems that men face can be prevented or managed through healthy lifestyle choices, eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, or avoiding substance abuse. This significant week’s focus is about improving access to health services and finding out how we can better support men and boys in the community.
Major Concerns in Men’s Health
Men’s health is a topic that is often overlooked, yet it is essential to living a long and healthy life. Many men tend to neglect their health often putting work, family, and other responsibilities ahead of their own wellbeing.
Heart Disease
There are several major concerns in men’s health that they should be aware of, and one of the most significant is heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. It occurs when the blood vessels that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients become blocked or narrowed, which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other serious complications. There are as many as 4 million men living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK. Preventing heart disease in men involves making lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors associated with the condition. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco or excessive alcohol consumption, and managing stress. In addition, men should have regular health screenings to monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall heart health.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and makes up 25% of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in England and Wales. The chance of developing prostate cancer increase as men get older with most cases developing in men aged 65 or older. But unlike many other cancers, prostate can often be treated successfully if detected early. Some prostate cancer grows too slow to cause any problems or affect how long you live. Because of this, many men with prostate cancer will never need any treatment. But some prostate cancer grows quickly and is more likely to need treatment to stop it from spreading. Research has shown that 56% of people say a cancer diagnosis is their biggest health fear with 42% of those surveyed saying they would ignore symptoms, look for answers online or wait until anything has changed before seeing a GP. If you are a man over the age of 50 (or over the age of 45 or have a family history for prostate cancer), it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about screening for prostate cancer. Early detection and treatment can improve the chances of successful outcomes for this condition.
Suicide
Around 75% of UK deaths from suicide are men, and suicide is the most common cause of death for men under 35. These statistics demonstrate the pressing need for mental health support for men everywhere. Mental health is another important aspect that is often overlooked. Men are often less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. However, untreated mental health conditions can have a significant impact on a man’s overall wellbeing and can even lead to physical health problems. It is no secret that a stigma still exists regarding men’s mental health, and sadly some men still feel uncomfortable discussing their problems openly.
Mental Health
According to recent statistics, 40% of men won’t talk about their mental health with their friends or family. Therefore, many individuals suffer in silence. Societal gender roles can dictate that when men express emotion, they are not “real men”. This stigma and social pressure can make it harder for men to openly discuss feelings of vulnerability and cause them to suppress their emotions in order to present themselves as ‘manly’ and ‘strong’. 41% of men contemplating suicide have never spoken about their feelings, with only 36% of male patients using the NHS first line talking therapy services to access support. While the topic is becoming more prevalent with more awareness, there is still a need to help men feel comfortable enough to speak out about their health.
How Can Wellity Support You During Men’s Health Week 2023?
We need to talk more about men’s health and raise awareness of the important physical and mental health issues faced by men. Wellity Global are here to support you with a range of titles specifically designed to raise awareness to the factors that affect men’s health:
Men’s MOT – When Was Your Last Service?
Middle-Age Manxiety – Healthy Hacks for Men
Daddy Cool and Doing it All – The Pressure of Modern Fatherhood
Men, Money, and Mental Health
Booze, Banter and Burnout… The Real Truths of the Effects on a Man’s Body
Men’s Health Matters
For more information about the training titles we offer surrounding this significant topic, contact our Wellity team at hello@wellityglobal.com.
