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Men's Health
The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Men’s Health Section is located within the Office of Health Promotion and functions to raise awareness of health issues specific to men and those that disproportionately impact men. These issues include, but are not limited to, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, heart disease, smoking, alcohol use, and unintentional injuries. Additionally, activities focus on collaborative work with mental health providers and community organizations to raise awareness of the mental health of men and associated efforts, such as suicide prevention, violence prevention, and building self-esteem.
Why Men’s Health?
- While not a new issue, an emerging focus on men’s health has developed at both the state and federal levels, as a variety of data sources and health markers indicate disparities in the overall health and well-being of men compared to women, as well as a limited history of successfully addressing their unique needs or incorporating male-specific considerations within health planning.
- Disparities in life expectancy and rates of chronic disease, suicide and substance abuse, violence, and injuries are among important issues that have been highlighted as those that could benefit from men’s health awareness and promotion activities.
- Many disparities among men, like those among women, have a greater impact on minorities and intersect with other social and environmental factors such as income, academic level, and location.
- Identifying strategies to provide outreach to men better, consider their unique needs, and provide assistance where there are currently gaps could increase effectiveness and improve outcomes of existing programs, as well as aid in the strategic development of new public health interventions.
