Men, masculinities and health Flashcards
What are the leading causes of death in men?
Noncommunicable diseases (mainly cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory), followed by injuries and suicide
Why do men normally have more unmet healthcare needs than women?
They participate less in preventative health services
They seek medical help at a later stage than women
Biological reasons for men having a shorter life expectancy than women
Genes
Hormones
Different morbidity risks
Acquired risks that mean men have a shorter life expectancy than women
Risk of disease and accidents in work place
Dangerous free-time activities
Lifestyke
Psychological distress
Psychological aspects of men having shorter life expectancy
- How symptoms are perceived and rated in terms of severity?
- How symptoms are reported, presented and spoken of?
- The process of reaching decision and implementing treatment
- Treatment priorities set and medical attendance
What is gender?
Array of socially constructed roles and relationships, personality traits, attitudes, behaviours, values, power and influence that differ between the sexes
What is a sex?
Biological characteristics that make someone male or female at birth
What is hemogenic masculinity?
Ruling or dominant in a political or social context - men have power
Idealized form of masculinity
What is inclusive masculinity?
Recent generations less invested in traditional masculine roles and instead espouse a softer, more liberal and open version of masculinity
What is salutogenic masculinity?
Approach focussing on factors supporting health and wellbeing rather than focus on factors causing disease
What is caring masculinity?
Expansion of emotional expressiveness and caring for others - ‘fathering’ is where they progress from the relationship they have with their own fathers
Characteristics of hemogenic masculinity
Men aren’t traditionally concerned about health - being unhealthy enacts HM
Society is placing an increasing importance on health - being unhealthy isn’t seen as masculine
Why do men not seek help earlier?
- Men seek help at a later stage to women
- Rather than seek help, they will be strong, stoical and suffer in silence
- Men view help-seeking as feminine
- Women find help-seeking easier because of greater contact with health services for themselves and their family
How can we encourage men to seek medical help?
- Accessible settings
- Understand masculine roles and behaviours
- Promotion of positive health messages during life transitions - adolescence, becoming a father etc - men more receptive to messages here
- Promote positive images, eliminate gender stereotypes
- Free healthcare screenings at locations that attract men
- Symposia and open forums to discuss relevant issues in men’s health
- Workplace screenings
- Train barbers in suicide risk assessment and prevention
