Latest Men’s Health in the News

by Brandon Leonard, MA February 16, 2010 Comment

Men’s Health issues are featured in an article by Teddi Dineley Johnson in the current issue of The Nation’s Health, a print and online publication of the American Public Health Association. You can access the article here: http://TheNationsHealth.AphaPublications.org/content/40/1/28.full. This piece, which quotes both MHN Vice President Scott Williams and Advisory Board member Dr. Perry Karfunkel, is a call to action for men to consider and improve their health. It’s also a reminder that men’s health issues do not always show up on the radar in discussions about national health in general.

One of the key points in the article is the gap of 2-3 decades in which a large percentage of men have very little contact with health professionals. Having passed through high school and possibly college, men in their 20s, 30s and even 40s become alienated from the healthcare system. This can be attributed to a combination of factors, including fear and the classic tough-guy belief that you don’t need to see a doctor unless you’re in extreme pain. Also, unlike women, men have much less frequent contact with doctors during their adolescence for routine care and never get into a healthy habit of regular check-ups to detect potential problems. When men finally do present themselves in a medical facility, perhaps years after developing mild pain or a nagging health condition, many have missed the chance to catch a serious ailment early.

If this sounds like you, don’t wait any longer to see a professional about any health issues that are bothering you. And if you know someone who is struggling with an ailment, let them know you care enough about them to ensure they get the help they need. Finally, be sure to share information like this article with those you know, and to advocate for more coverage of men’s health issues in both publications and public policy debates. MHN is excited to see this article published in The Nation’s Health and looks forward to engaging in more educational activities about men’s health around the country.

Author: Brandon Leonard, MA (has written 11 posts)

Brandon Leonard is a State Coordinator for MHN in California. Born and raised in Southwest Virginia, he graduated from the University of Virginia in 2004 with a degree in Foreign Affairs and Spanish. After receiving a Governor’s Fellowship with the office of Mark Warner, Brandon continued working with the state government for two years as a Policy and Planning Specialist on an initiative promoting community integration for people with disabilities. In this role he worked closely with advocates and government officials, particularly in public health, toward policies that favored independence and community-based care options. Brandon continued his studies at the George Washington University, earning an M.A. in International Development Studies in 2008. That year, he worked with MHN in Washington, D.C. as a researcher on state and local health initiatives for men. He has since moved to the San Francisco area, where he is an International Programs Officer for the Foundation for Sustainable Development. Brandon is excited about promoting men’s health in his new home state and nation-wide.

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