Men's health disparities: Causes and interventions

Abstract

According to the existing, extensive scientific evidence in the literature, men on average are living sicker and dying younger at a higher rate compared to women. The causes of men's infirmities are complex and multifaceted, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality rates and decreased life expectancy. Despite the statistics of the doomed health status among men, interests to eliminate their health disparities remain inconsistent and ill-defined. Therefore, efforts to eradicate men's health disparities should be positioned in interdisciplinary health education, research, and policy using sex and gender-based health frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to explore men's health generally by discussing common health disparities, the causes of the gender gap in men's health outcomes, proposing some strategies for advancing men's health, and finally providing nursing implications for education, practice, research, and health/public policy. Notably, interdisciplinary, gender-based health education potentially has significant impacts on men's health. The promotion of such initiatives can consequently address the intricacies of men's health, which will provide future healthcare professionals with the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to improve men's health.

Keywords: gender inequality; masculinity; men's health; men's health disparities.