1. National Men’s Health Week 2011
Get a man online
Improving men’s health using new technologies
National Men’s Health Week 2011 (13-19th June) will focus on
how new technologies – including websites, mobile phones and
social networking – can be used to improve men’s health.
2. The Men’s Health Forum
National Men’s Health Week (NMHW) is organised by the
Men’s Health Forum (MHF), the centre of excellence for
men’s health policy and practice. We are a charity that aims
to provide an independent and authoritative voice for male
health in England and Wales and to tackle the issues and
inequalities affecting the health and well-being of men and
boys.
We do this through:
• Policy development and research
• Information services to men and health professionals
• Stimulating professional and public debate
• Working with MPs and Government
• Developing innovative and imaginative projects
• Collaborating with the widest possible range of
interested organisations and individuals.
MHF is a Strategic Partner of the Department of Health
giving it an influential role in promoting men’s health
to the government, the NHS, the third sector and beyond.
3. Men's Health Week 2011 (13-19th June) will focus on how new technologies
can be used to improve men's health. Many men are reluctant users of traditional health services,
such as GPs and pharmacies, and do not always respond to mainstream health awareness
campaigns. However, most men care about their health and do respond to messages when the
information is presented in formats that appeal to them. We know that men are enthusiastic users
of wide range of new technologies – online systems, mobile phone applications, social networking,
gaming, etc. We want to harness this interest in new technologies to develop health services,
information and products that engage men so they take action to improve their health.
70%
of respondents to a malehealth.co.uk survey
in 2009 said the internet was their first stop
for health information mainly because it was
37%
of men used the internet
quick, private and free. to seek health-related
information in 2009.
80%
of men used the internet
(National Statistics
data for 2009)
in the last three months
(National Statistics data for 2009)
43%
of people using the free NHS Midlife 99%
Check lifestyle-assessment website are
men. The average age of men completing of ‘Pre-Family Men’ say they go
the lifestyle questionnaire was 49. online every day or nearly every day,
These men are an average of 2 stones, according to Microsoft research.
3 lbs overweight (14kgs), with 50% of them use their mobile
a 37-inch waist. phones to go online.
4. There is growing evidence that information and services provided
through the internet and other technologies can be used to improve
men's health outcomes.
37% of men used the internet for health information in 2009, up from 31% in 2008, according
to National Statistics data. This is a promising base on which to build. Men’s Health Forum’s
consumer website (www.malehealth.co.uk) attracts over 1.5m unique visitors a year; for the
2010 World Cup, NHS Choices worked with MHF to develop male-specific tools and content
using a football theme; and in partnership with MHF, BT developed a pioneering intranet-based
lifestyle change programme for its staff that attracted over 16,000 users, most of whom were
men. Many men who have not been physically active have been motivated by participative
home video games such as Nintendo Wii.
During NMHW 2011, MHF aims to:
I Promote the wide range of new technologies
now available to improve men’s health
I Develop new materials for men to use on
the internet, their mobile phone, etc.
I Encourage service providers to seize these
new opportunities to reach men effectively
I Encourage more men to access health
information on the internet and mobile phones
We believe that new technologies can help to improve men’s health literacy and lifestyles as well
as encourage better self-care and more appropriate use of services (leading to earlier diagnosis).
At a time of financial restraint, investment in new technologies that improve health outcomes
are an attractive and economical option for government as well as commercial organisations.
Effective patient use of the internet can inform conversations with health professionals, improve
Photo: Sean Locke/istockphoto.com
patients’ confidence and help to put the patient at the centre of decision-making about their
treatment.
MHF’s aim of maximizing the potential of new technologies to improve men’s health fits
perfectly with the government’s intention to bring about ‘an NHS information revolution’.
We will also be highlighting the risks that are created by ill-informed use of the internet,
for example by the online purchase of counterfeit drugs.
5. Key men’s health statistics
I 40% of men still die prematurely (before the age of 75).
I Unskilled manual men have a life expectancy of 73 and, in some
parts of England, male life expectancy is as low as 65.
I Male death rates are significantly affected by social deprivation
and unemployment.
I Coronary heart disease kills more men than women and on average
men develop it 10-15 years earlier. South Asian men living in the UK
have an even higher premature death rate from heart disease and
stroke than men generally.
I Men are 60% more likely than women to develop a non sex-specific
cancer, and are 70% more likely to die from the disease.
I Men are more likely to drink alcohol above recommended levels,
smoke cigarettes and eat a poor diet.
Photos (from top): Chad McDermott; Blackie; Sami Suni; Manu1174 /istockphoto.com
I By 2015, 36% of men will be obese and, by 2025, only 13% will have
a healthy body mass index.
I Three times as many men kill themselves. The suicide rate for men is
much higher in deprived areas. Young gay men are more likely than
heterosexual young men to attempt suicide.
I Men visit their GP 20% less frequently than women and are also
much less likely to have regular dental check-ups or to use
community pharmacies as a source of advice and information about
health.
I NHS smoking cessation programmes are less well used by men than
women as are weight management services and health trainers
6. NMHW 2011 activities
During NMHW 2011, MHF will:
I Raise men’s awareness of the range
of new technologies that can improve
their health and how to use them.
I Host a high-profile national launch event.
I Produce resources for men on getting
health information via new technologies,
phone applications and more.
I Support local events, organised
by individual primary care or other
health organisations, workplaces,
sports organisations, community
groups, etc., eg. ‘MOT’ checks for
men or health improvement campaigns
on lifestyle issues.
I Work with the All Party Parliamentary
Group on Men’s Health to investigate
the role of new technologies in improving
men’s health.
I Run training events on targeting men
using new technologies.
I Organise national/local media activity.
I Hold an expert symposium on men’s
health and new technologies which
will aim to develop policy and practice.
Photo: Photo-Dave/istockphoto.com
7. Partnership
The Forum is keen to work in partnership with the widest possible range of organisations.
Following the successful model developed for previous Weeks, MHF will be seeking to work
closely with government, the NHS, employers and employers’ organisations, local authorities,
commercial organisations, third sector organisations with an interest in improving men’s health
though new technologies, and others.
Partners, through their financial and logistical support for NMHW, will benefit from:
I Participation in a high profile launch event
I Supply of resources (mini manuals/online information)
I High PR profile
I Participation in the development of MHF policy on men’s health and new technologies
I Invite to training, symposium and all related NMHW events
I For public sector organisations, support for their work to tackle health inequalities and
improve health outcomes
I For commercial organisations, opportunities to meet CSR objectives and to market
products and services to a male audience.
NMHW 2010 partners included:
the Department of Health, Royal
Mail, Food Standards Agency,
Pfizer, Cancer Research UK,
Coventry City Council, Food
and Drink Federation, NHS
Choices, NHS Midlife Check,
YMCA, Royal Society for Public
Health, Amey, South Asian
Health Foundation and several
Photo: Kutayanir/istockphoto.com
NHS trusts.
MHF is particularly keen to identify a few major sponsors of NMHW 2011 which will be given
a much higher profile in every aspect of the event.
8. National Men’s Health Week
National Men’s Health Week was first held in June 2002 and since then it has grown in size
and impact, firmly establishing itself as a key part of the public health calendar. Each year
NMHW focuses on a different area of policy relevant to men’s health.
Previous weeks have looked at:
• Male health in general (2002) • Men and long-term conditions (2007)
• Men and sexual health (2003) • Men and work (2008)
• Men and cancer (2004) • Men’s use of health services (2009)
• Men and obesity (2005) • Men and physical activity and sport (2010)
• Men and mental wellbeing (2006)
NMHW provides a focal point for individuals and organisations with an interest in
improving men’s health.
For further information
Peter Baker Kristin McCarthy
MHF Chief Executive Development Manager
peter.baker@menshealthforum.org.uk k.mccarthy@menshealthforum.org.uk
01273 276547 0780 8862 963
www.menshealthforum.org.uk
www.malehealth.co.uk
Registered office 32-36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH.
A registered charity (No. 1087375).
A Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 4142349 – England). October 2010
