Understanding and Improving Men’s Health in Hampshire
Our engagement officer Sayda attended University of Winchester's Men’s Health Conference on Understanding and Improving Men’s Health in Hampshire.
We were invited to join University of Winchester’s first Men’s Health Conference, “Understanding and Improving Men’s Health in Hampshire”, which took place last Friday. The event began with a keynote speech from Simon Bryant (Director of Public Health, Winchester City Council), highlighting the importance of a systems approach to men’s health.
Statistics shared showed the notable life expectancy gap between men and women (both nationally and at a local level), clearly indicating health disparities between the groups. Although there are genetic factors at play that influence life expectancy, men experience substantially higher preventable premature mortality than women, and this is where a difference can be made.
During his presentation, Simon shared some striking statistics that are the result of inequalities in men’s health. Understanding the factors that drive these inequalities can be used to reduce them and narrow the gap.
Evidence suggests that men are more likely to engage in certain unhealthy behaviours, such as higher levels of alcohol consumption, harmful gambling and smoking — all of which are recognised risk factors for poorer health and disease.
Men’s engagement with health services tends to be lower, particularly when it comes to preventative care and early intervention for conditions such as mental health issues, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Uptake of routine health checks and primary care visits is lower among men, raising concerns about avoidable deterioration, late diagnoses, and treatment gaps.
Other wider determinants of health, such as poverty and deprivation, further drive these inequalities and result in poorer health outcomes. Where you live has an impact on life expectancy, quality of life, and how long you stay healthy.
At the end of last year, the Department of Health and Social Care published the first Men’s Health strategy, a vision for England. The report recognises the need for an independent approach to men and women’s healthcare, with varying factors driving improved health outcomes for the different groups. The priorities that are set out to achieve better health outcomes for men include:
Improving mental health and preventing suicide
Preventing most common physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory diseases
Tackling harmful behaviours
Making health services work better for men
Reducing inequalities.
The strategy identifies 6 “levers” to improve men’s health:
Improving access to healthcare services
Supporting individual behaviours
Developing healthy living and working conditions
Fostering strong social, community and family networks
Addressing societal norms
Tackling health challenges and conditions.
The full strategy can be read here: Men’s health: a strategic vision for England | CP 1432
Simon’s team continued the presentation with a focus on men’s mental health and wellbeing.
Following the keynote speech, attendees were given time to network before moving to breakout sessions. 4 sessions were run across the day, focusing on different areas of men’s health:
Men and Cancer (delivered by Maddy Thomson, Consultant Nurse, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
Men’s Health: Diet and Nutrition (delivered by Jaana Jeffery, Cancer Specialist Dietician)
Sexual Health: Boys to Men (delivered by Sexual Health Promotion Practitioners Anna Murray and Gordon Atkins)
Men’s Cardiovascular Health (presentation by Alex Price, Colin Hubbard and Diogo Mota from the UHS Cardiac Team).
For more information about any of the presentations delivered at the conference, or to be notified of upcoming events, please contact the organisers of this event:
Ian Winkworth, Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing
Ellie Maczka, Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Lecturer in PGCert Practice Education (both from University of Winchester).
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