Men’s Health Vital Signs

Commonly believed that women suffer more from the health hazards supposedly being the weaker sex. But, the research revealed they get more priority in their families and also in the national health budgets because of the gender rights campaigns for over a century.

Perhaps, that is why six dedicated men’s health organisations first initiated International Men’s Health Week. This gathering resulted from early discussions about the necessity of coordinating awareness campaigns worldwide in 2001 at the 1st World Congress on Men’s Health. Later, it was formally recognised during the second global men’s health conference held in Vienna, Austria, in 2002. So, men’s health got the focus for raising awareness among men.

Men’s health suffers for many reasons. They include bad habits such as smoking, alcohol, no workouts and physical exercises. But, in countries like Pakistan, men’s health is only denoted to longer sex, fertility and reproductive capacity. Walls-chalking and signboards in the downtowns and cities across the country shout out for it. Social media is also flooded with adverts and shorts with a tinge of vulgarity. But, unfortunately, the objective communication and awareness is missing while the need is to spread the word about the general health and well-being of the men as well.

International Men’s Health Week (MHW) is a global healthcare event, typically celebrated every year in the 3rd week of June. This year (2023), it was also celebrated in Islamabad for the first time. Not only a week but for a month, the Maroof International Hospital organized several events in a row at different venues in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), intending to recognise and address health issues in addition to early diagnosis and promoting the importance of screening tests in men and boys. Indeed, a good initiative.

The grand event at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) was presided over by the Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chief Asim Rauf. The other guests of honour included the ICCI president Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Maroof International’s chief executive officer Haroon Naseer, HOD of Sleep Disorder Center Dr. Sohail Naseem, and others. Free tests and screening of all the guests were also conducted.

Speakers at the event presented alarming facts about men’s health. About 6 percent of men suffer from Asthma while more than 200 million people suffer from chronic bronchitis all over the world, said Dr. Sohail Naseem. He pointed out that one-eight men suffer from depression, 20 percent of men suffer from anxiety at some point in their lifetime. About 5-7 percent male population suffers from sleep apnea and disturbed sleep. Sleep disorders can be diagnosed and treated with polysomnography.

Haroon Naseer, the CEO MIH was of the view that 51.46 percent of Pakistan’s population comprises males, and hardly pay heed to their health. MIH is the first and only healthcare provider that worked on men’s health awareness throughout the month of June along with its consultants, physicians, and surgeons from 40 different specialties.

Dr. Omar Idress Mufti, head of Maroof Cardiovascular Center, advices every male to go for regular vital tests for a healthier life. Men’s Health Day is a reminder for everyone to take necessary measures periodically to monitor their health.

There are numerous instances in which men’s health is inferior to women. As per a World Health Organization (WHO) report published in 2015, the average male life expectancy was 69.1 years, while the average female life expectancy was 73.8 years. Strangely, the data has not been updated for eight years. However, the report states that male life expectancy was never more than female life expectancy in any country. As per the WHO research database, it was estimated that men over the ages of 75 and 65 will be impacted more than women, also double. About 11.4 million men are likely to suffer as compared to 5.2 million women between 2014-2039. Numerous chronic diseases will impact many males throughout the upcoming years.

Men are less likely to recognise the warning signs of diseases like cancer than women. In addition, older men are more prone to experience the detrimental consequences, the negative effects, of social isolation on their mental health, resulting in decreased quality of life. Many medical professionals and government officials still fail to recognise or even acknowledge the importance of men’s mental health. Even in countries that have paid more attention to men’s health, most projects have been on a very small scale. Sedative lifestyle and risk habits such as drinking, consuming fat-rich foods, and smoking and underusing health services such as screening are major contributors to men’s poor health.

This year’s Men’s Health Week theme was “Healthy Habits”, intending to adopt men and boys to make positive choices for their health and happiness. Adapting to healthy habits can aid in preventing significant health issues like obesity and diabetes. Developing new routines, such as regular exercise and the consumption of a healthy diet, can also aid in losing weight and feeling more energised. In addition, performing stress management activities and routine screening tests also contribute to developing a healthy quality of life.

It is recommended to men for health care screening right from the age of 20 and beyond. It is advised to visit a primary care physician once a year for a full physical examination, including blood pressure, height, and weight. Blood cholesterol levels should be checked once every five years. Based on the presence of risk factors, they should have screenings for skin cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and substance misuse (drugs). Schedule screening tests for testicular cancer, diabetes, thyroid, and liver problems once a year.

At the age of 30, screening for coronary heart disease (CAD) should be done if there is a strong family history and/or risk factors for CAD. At the age of 40, screening for thyroid disease, liver diseases, anaemia, and prostate cancer should be done. At age 50, screen for cholesterol every five years, followed by yearly screening for skin cancer, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, lipid disorders, and lung cancer, in addition to vaccination against shingles.

At the age of 60, have an ultrasound of the carotid artery and check for signs of depression, osteoporosis, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm; if they exist, immediate screening for the same is recommended. At 70, screening may be performed every six months, depending on the previous findings.