& Healing Centre
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Men's Health.
Men's health emerged as a discrete academic and political
concern in the 1990s, largely due to the wide success of Men's Health magazine.
A Rodale, Inc. publication, Men's Health was founded in 1987.
A greater understanding of women's health issues had been one of the successes
of the feminist movement, a development that drew attention to the fact that
while men had dominated most societies in most fields, this did not extend to
health and to life expectancy. By 2008, it was still the case that in the vast
majority of countries, rich and poor, women could expect to outlive men.
Mortality rates for all of the 15 leading causes of death for the total
population are higher for males than females in America. Men die almost seven
years earlier than women. Men are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses,
to suffer a traumatic brain injury, and to die from acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS). Men are less likely to exercise and are more likely to be
overweight. They are also less likely to take nutritional supplements, such as
vitamins, and to spend time taking care of themselves.
Some argue that this is in part because men are “allowed” to be overweight. The
media may present a man who is chunky as still being very masculine and even
attractive (John Belushi, etc). The behaviors and greater awareness of healthy
behaviors women exhibit are due in part to the societal value of their
appearance and their body. If a woman is overweight, she is considered to be
less feminine. Women place greater emphasis on taking care of their bodies which
leads them to exhibit healthier behaviors.
It is a debated subject but many scientists believe that behavior is the most
important factor influencing health and that changes in behavior is the most
effective way to prevent disease. Some behaviors associated with hegemonic
masculinity include ambition and success-oriented
mentality, independence and acting invulnerable, emotional stoicism, aggression,
and taking risks. These are accepted behaviors and character traits for men but
if they are taken to the extreme, they can be linked to behavior patterns that
are unhealthy.
