The Empathy Gap & the Lifespan Gender Gap
The focus for Men's Health Week in the US is on addressing the Empathy Gap in men's health through advocacy, awareness and action.
The Empathy Gap refers to the societal tendency to minimise or dismiss the struggles of men and boys, particularly in health, education, mental wellbeing and social support. For example:
- Men's health screenings get less promotion than other groups
- Men face higher suicide rates, but mental health outreach often neglects their barriers
- Men's workplace safety risks are overlooked, despite accounting for most of the occupational fatalities.
The Lifespan Gender Gap refers to the six-year difference in life expectancy between men & women, primarily due to preventable health issues. Contributing factors include:
- Delayed Medical Care - barriers to being able to get care
- Higher suicide rates and mental health stigma
- Workplace risks and chronic illness
The Men's Health Network Action Plan sets out actions to help bridge these gaps such as:
1. Expanding access and awareness for preventative car, screenings & mental health services.
2. Recognising the importance of Wear Blue Day, and highlight men's health and promoting men's health awareness in the workplace.
3. Collaborating with Ambassadors and awareness networks across America.
4. Encouraging official recognition of Men's Health Month throughout government proclamations.
5. Supporting the global network of men's health organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of men and boys everywhere.
The Men's Health Network has produced a digital toolkit to support activations and are encouraging workplaces to offer male-specific health screenings. They will emphasise prostate and testicular cancer with PSA testing campaigns, survivor stories and corporate outreach.
They will also stimulate nationwide social media discussion on suicide prevention, emotional wellbeing and building empathy back into the discussion.
Learn more at www.menshealthnetwork.org