You can get involved. Sign up for Men's Health Week for news and information on taking part.
Why Healthy Living For Men?
Men's Health Week 2015 focuses on healthy living challenging men to:
- Look after their relationships and wellbeing
- Don't smoke
- Drink sensibly
- Be active
- Watch their weight
Why This Topic?
Men are less likely to lead a healthly lifestyle. They are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol to hazardous levels and be overweight or obese. These lifestyles can lead into serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and strokes, the risks of which can be reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle.
Why Is This Important?
One in five men are die before the age of 65. That's 20% of men who won't reach retirement age. Additionally:
- The mortality rates in the UK for males were 619 deaths per 100,000 compared to 451 per 100,000 for men
- The biggest single cause of death in men is cancer. Men have 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women
- 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for avoiding serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Yet men are far more likely to lead an unhealthy lifestyle:
- Men are more likely than women to smoke, smoke more cigarettes per dat and smoke hand-rolled tobacco. 22% of men reported smoking compared to 17% of women
- Men are more likely than women to drink alcohol and drink at hazardous levels. 14% of men reported drinking an alcoholic drink on five or more days in a week compared to 9% of women
- 67% of men are overweight or obese
- Men are more likely than women to eat too much salt, red meat and processed meat
- Men are more likely than women to eat too little fruit and too little vegetables
- 67% of men reported they met the government recommendations for physical activity
- Participation in activity amongst men declines with age. 83% of men aged 16-24 met the recommendations for physical activity, compared with 57% aged 65-74.
Lifestyle and Health Impacts
Whilst men are often reluctant to opt for healthier choices, unhealthy lifestyles can lead to dramatic consequences for male health.
Men who have unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to:
- Suffer from mental health issues
- Be at risk from heart attack
- Be at risk of two or more health factors
- Suffer from diabetes, chronic liver disease and cancer
This issue has significant problems across the UK. 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male. Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women.
There was also wider implications in terms of cost. ASH estimates that the total cost of smoking to society is approximately £12.9 billion a year. Obesity is estimated to cost £27 billion a year.
A Growing Problem
The majority of men are now overweight or obese. And althought the number of males reported to be smoking has decline, the use of hand rolled cigarettes has increased alongside drinking alcohol and eating unhealthily.
You can find all these statistics on our webpage for professionals.
Men's Health Week 2015
Anyone can take part in Men's Health Week, especially local organisations, public health teams, NHS and employers. Sign up for Men's Health Week 2015 news and information and we will hope you get involved in the week. We will send you extra newsletters with updates on the week and details of how to get resources as soon as they are available.
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