There is a need for nurses and other health and care professionals to develop a greater knowledge and awareness of the needs of men and boys so as to improve assessment and treatment. Men and boys have different health needs to women and girls. Male health experiences may be related to biological and social factors.
Men and boys are often reluctant users of healthcare due to cultural norms, stigma and a belief that seeking help is seen as a sign of weakness. Men and boys are more likely to engage in behaviours that put their health at risk, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and unsafe sex. Being aware of these risks, nurses can provide appropriate interventions, promoting healthier behaviours. Gender bias exists in healthcare; being aware and alert to these biases, nurses can work with men and boys, ensuring they receive equitable care. Male health inequality is an important issue and is receiving increasing attention. Men from disadvantaged backgrounds experience worse health outcomes than women in many areas, including mortality, morbidity, mental health and lifestyle-related health behaviours.
A substantial contributor to inequality in male health are the social determinants of health. Poverty, low educational attainment, unemployment and poor living conditions disproportionately affect men, having a substantial impact on health outcomes. Accessing healthcare services is another significant factor impacting male health inequality. Men are less likely to access healthcare services than women; this may be due to societal expectations of masculinity as well as a reluctance of men to seek help (Global Action on Men's Health, 2021). This can lead to late diagnoses and poor treatment outcomes for conditions including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health conditions.
Public health awareness and prevention campaigns related to health and wellbeing for men and boys are important as they can help to address some of the unique health challenges that men face. The world celebrates Men's Health Week each year in June and this year's spotlight was on encouraging men and boys to build healthy habits by identifying small changes they can make that benefit their health and wellbeing. This week-long focus on the health of men and boys provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the health issues that affect men disproportionately and can focus attention on encouraging men to become aware of problems they may have or might develop, and prompt them to do something about it.
Nurses are ideally situated to encourage men to take proactive care of their health, be aware of potential concerns and to take early action to address them. ‘Making every contact count’ is an evidence-based approach that can support men to improve their health and wellbeing, helping them change their behaviour.
Coming into contact with men who use the NHS offers nurses the chance to engage them in conversations about their health, how they might improve it and by addressing risk factors including alcohol, diet, physical activity and smoking, as well as focusing on mental health.
Increased knowledge and awareness provided by public health campaigns can help raise awareness about important health issues men may not be familiar with. This can help them recognise the risks associated with certain behaviours or conditions, encouraging them to take action to improve their health. Early detection can lead to early treatment, the promotion of regular check-ups and screening can help ensure men receive a timely diagnosis along with treatment for health issues, improving outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.
For decades men have been dying too young. Improved men's health would not only be good for men but also for their partners, families, health services, and workplaces as well as the wider economy (Global Action on Men's Health, 2021). Recognising and responding to men's health concerns is not just a man's issue, nor does it only occur during one week in June.