Men’s Health Week 2023

Men’s Health week is celebrated every year during the week leading up to Father’s Day. Now celebrated globally, the concept was started in the USA by the Men’s Health Network and was signed into law by President Clinton in 1994. “The purpose of men’s health week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and give healthcare providers, public policymakers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.”¹

While there is much discussion around the physical aspects of men’s health, the mental health of men is often overlooked. Statistically, in both the USA and the UK, at least 1 in 6 adults suffer from depression, a number that has increased significantly since Covid.³ While the overall incidence in males is lower than females, “mental health among men often goes untreated because they are far less likely to seek mental health treatment than women.

Depression and suicide are ranked as a leading cause of death among men. Six million men are affected by depression in the United States every single year. Men (79% of 38,364) die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women. They also die due to alcohol-related causes at 62,000 in comparison to women at 26,000. Men are also two to three times more likely to misuse drugs than women.”²

Physically, men have “higher lifetime risks for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, and additional morbidities than women.”² In response, clinics devoted to men’s health have started to emerge. “Throughout the last decade, what has defined a men’s health clinic has evolved to encompass more than just testosterone and can include urologic issues, ED, testosterone replacement, sleep medicine, mental health, addiction health, cardiology, dermatology, and hair loss. As a result, academic centers, which have the multi-disciplinary team to address the wide variety of men’s health needs, began to establish men’s health clinics as well.”²

“Academic centers are now providing a comprehensive approach to men’s health, with physicians who are comfortable managing male endocrine, sexual, reproductive, surgical, physical performance, and psychological issues. In addition, various academic urology programs are now offering fellowship training in men’s health, covering sexual dysfunction, infertility, and andrology.”²

“Men’s health is a unique discipline that should be practiced by physicians comfortable with the urologic, sexual, and reproductive health of men. Since it requires a multi-disciplinary approach to appropriately treat the full spectrum of men’s health needs, fellowships in men’s health are becoming more important. These fellowships cover a broad spectrum of disciplines including andrology, male infertility, and sexual dysfunction.”

At Limbs & Things, we are proud to offer products that enable healthcare providers to learn procedures related to men’s health. We fully support efforts to increase awareness of men’s health, both physical and mental. We encourage all families to celebrate Men’s Health Week and inspire the men in your life to seek regular check-ups.

¹ www.menshealthnetwork.org

² Males and Mental Health Stigma

³ Depression Statistics