Men's Health
Men are often not very good when it comes to looking after their own health. Research tells us that men are often reluctant to access healthcare professionals until they have poor health, by which time their condition has deteriorated unneccessarily.
Some national facts and figures
- The average UK male life expectancy at birth is currently 75.3 years, but men in higher managerial jobs can expect to live three and half year longer (78.5 years) than men in manual work
- Men take risks. Two in five (39%) drink too much. More than one in four (28%) smoke and one in three younger men (35%) use illegal drugs
- Diagnoses of both prostate and testicular cancer are up since the early 1990s, with over 34,000 new cases of prostate cancer each year.
- Men are now more likely than women to suffer a mental illness
- Men visit their GP 20% less frequently than women and are also less likely to use services such as pharmacies, smoking cessation, weight management and health trainers.
- Compared to the wider population, Indian, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean and Irish men are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke
- By 2015, 36% of men will be obese.
Information Resources
There is plenty of information around on health topics such as sexual health, mental health, smoking cessation, alcohol, physical activity, healthy eating and how to reduce the risks of diseases such as heart disease and cancers. Below are links to general or male specific sites that cover many of these topics:
Patient UK has information leaflets on a wide range of health and illness topics and an extensive directory of patient support and self help groups. In addition, our extensive web directory lists many other sites which provide information and support on specific illnesses and health issues.
Aims to provide men with clear information about their health and show how - in practical, down-to-earth ways - they can not only become healthier but also feel better too.
Prostate Research Campaign UK (external link)
Offers free brochures on all prostate diseases (cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis), a DVD/Video on treatment options for early prostate cancer, a quarterly newsletter and other publications. Also funds research into all aspects of prostate disease and awards grants for the training of medical professionals.
Stay match fit during the World Cup
According to recent research by Loughborough University, one in ten fans will drink 20 cans and 20 pints of beer throughout the World Cup, while one in seven fans will eat ten pizzas during the tournament.
So, make sure you get the most from your World Cup experience and don’t get stretchered off before half time.
Local Activities
There are a range of charities, voluntary organisations and clubs which organise leisure and social activities in the Oxfordshire area. Find something near you: