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Act like a man? Well, not if you want to live a healthier life

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
By Wayne Hartrick, Special to The Vancouver Sun

Canadian men have a health problem. Men die younger than women and live 10 years of poor health, most of it avoidable. Why? Because they act like men. However, simple changes in men's behaviour would solve many of the health issues they face.

The true scope of the problem was news to me when I joined Men's Health Initiative a year ago.

Over the past year I have learned:

• men are 70% more likely to die of heart disease than women;

• women outlive men by an average of 4.5 years;

• men live 10 years of poor health, most of it avoidable;

• men are 85% more likely to die of arterial disease than women;

• men are 40% more likely to die from diabetes than women;

• almost all (95%) of workplace deaths are males;

• men account for 80% of suicides.

These statistics are needlessly high. To help us understand men's attitudes toward health, Men's Health Initiative did research interviews with men. We found that most men weren't concerned about living a few years longer, but many paid attention when we said they would live 10 unhealthy years and most of it was avoidable. They didn't say they would do anything about it, but at least we had their attention.

Heath care experts say that about 70% of the problem is caused by men's attitude and behaviour around health, not genetics. That's why Vancouver's Dr. Larry Goldenberg started Men's Health Initiative - to create a movement to improve men's health.

Much of the solution comes down to the basics most men already know: diet, exercise, sleep, regular checkups and tests.

What we don't know is why men avoid these basic, life-saving steps.

The problem may be that healthy behaviours are often seen as "un-masculine." Ordering a salad, doing yoga or simply asking for help are all stereotypically not "manly."

Some psychologists use the phrase "hegemonic male" to describe the cultural normative ideal of male behaviour. And it seems to be a factor in men's behaviour.

Our resident scientist points to research showing the hegemonic ideal is caused by testosterone. We have to ask how you motivate hegemonic, testosterone-fuelled men - who see the actions of being healthy as a sign of weakness?' In my 30-plus years as a communications professional, this is the most challenging social marketing problem I've faced.

We have to make men take control of health the way they endeavour to take control of everything else. We have to make the actions of being healthy accepted as masculine. We have to remove the stigma of depression and mental illness and get men to ask for help. We have to get the message through that health is gained or lost because of small daily decisions that add up over time.

The trick is finding out what will motivate men - guilt, fear or incentive - or are there other key triggers? Evidence-based research into men's health motivators is a new undertaking and more is needed.

Meanwhile, the Men's Health Initiative and other organizations are seeding a men's health movement in Canada. For instance, we are at the beginning of Movember, an international moustache-growing fundraising and awareness campaign focused on prostate cancer and men's mental health. Men's attitudes and behaviours towards health need to change now. Simple changes in health behaviour will significantly improve the state of men's health; eating better, being more active, getting sleep, and seeing the doctor for a checkup.

It's a fact: men can live longer lives and in better health, with major benefits to themselves, the health care system, friends, family and society. And spouses, children, friends and peers - don't underestimate the influence you have to help.

For more information on men's health, visit http://www. aboutmen.ca

Wayne Hartrick is president of Men's Health Initiative BC.

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