In "Speaking Up for the Silent Majority," Shelby Leventhal, a college senior at the University of Kentucky, shares a powerful perspective on why women should care about men’s health. Drawing from her own experiences and observations, she explores the stigma that keeps many men from seeking care and urges women to play a more active role in encouraging the men in their lives to prioritize both physical and mental health. Through personal stories, cultural reflection, and a call to action, Shelby makes a compelling case for empathy, awareness, and support in the men’s health movement.Continue reading
Category: Mental Health
Shattering the silence: A fresh story for men’s mental health
In Shattering the Silence: A Fresh Story for Men's Mental Health, guest contributor Aaradhana Aiyyar explores how cultural norms around masculinity prevent many men from seeking mental health support. The piece highlights the hidden signs of male depression, the physical toll of emotional suppression, and the urgent need to redefine strength as vulnerability. With practical steps for individuals, families, and communities, this blog is a call to action to destigmatize men’s mental health and build a culture where emotional honesty is seen as courage—not weakness.Continue reading
International Men’s Health Week 2025: Lead with Empathy, Act with Purpose
As we celebrate International Men’s Health Week, it’s important to recognize where it all began. Men’s Health Network not only launched Men’s Health Week and Men’s Health Month—they laid the groundwork for a global movement. Their advocacy helped pass the original Congressional resolution in 1994, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, establishing Men’s Health Week as a national observance. From there, they created the infrastructure, messaging, and coalition-building that gave rise to what is now an international health campaign.Continue reading
This Men’s Health Month: Let’s Shift the Focus to DAD!
Father’s Day is next week, which makes this an especially important time to reflect on and support dads everywhere. We may not always know the burdens they shoulder. Many men feel it’s best to stay silent about the physical or mental pain they’re carrying. They just want to be the rock in their family—the steady protector who never asks for help. But we must remember: even the strongest need support. Too many fathers are suffering in silence, believing it’s their role to bear it all alone. Whether it’s unspoken anxiety, untreated chronic pain, or invisible burnout, these internal battles are real—and often devastating if left unaddressed.Continue reading
Global Data Confirms It: Men’s Health Deserves Focus, Funding, and a Future
In response to the recent PLOS Medicine, "Sex-disaggregated data along the gendered health pathways" Article: It’s a vital contribution to the men’s health conversation and affirms something we’ve said all along: Men's health outcomes will improve when we prioritize men’s health intentionally. At MHN, we see this Article as a roadmap, but it’s up to all of us—health professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates—to act on it. Follow along for all of our commentary on this article... Continue reading
The Role of Lifestyle Choices in Men’s Health: Nutrition, Exercise, & Beyond
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small. Pick one habit this week—meal prep, daily walks, earlier bedtime—and commit to it. Over time, these small wins compound into real, measurable health improvements. Yet many men are still unaware of just how impactful their habits can be. The good news? Even small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in overall well-being. In this article, I’ll outline the evidence-based lifestyle pillars that support physical, mental, and metabolic health in men—and offer practical strategies to start improving them today.Continue reading
Jet Lag Can’t be THAT Bad: Issues Linked to Lack of Sleep
Men, especially those juggling long work hours or night shifts, often lead this pack, with lifestyle releases like late-night screen time or caffeine cutting into rest. Poor quality of sleep is a common issue that disrupts lives every day and night. Insomnia, marked by trouble falling or staying asleep, affects an estimated 10-30% of adults globally, with around 10% experiencing chronic symptoms lasting months or more, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. That’s roughly 33 million people grappling with persistent sleeplessness, often tied to stress, anxiety, or medical conditions.Continue reading
Expanding Healthy People 2030: A Community-Driven Approach to Men’s Health
Healthy People 2030's next iteration should incorporate male-focused community initiatives that foster adequate support for the health needs of men and boys. By working together—across public health sectors, education systems, workplaces, and community organizations—we can create an environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. Read on for more information on how men and boys stand up against Social Determinants of Health as stated in existing policy.Continue reading
Young Men, Eating Disorders, & Social Media: Affecting Men & Boys Alike
In a 2023 study, the American Psychological Association found that social media usage “is associated with poor body image in youth, a known predictor of eating disorders.” This fact has been, more or less, accepted as common knowledge for the past decade or so. And while the prevalence of eating disorders has been reflected in the domains of medicine, public health, and academia, an overwhelming majority of the ensuing discourse has focused solely on women and girls. This assumption, however, that eating disorders only impact women and girls is no longer a tenable one. Continue reading
Dating in the Digital Age: The Unique Challenges Gen Z Men Face
Modern dating is a complex landscape for men, shaped by societal pressures, digital platforms, and evolving relationship norms. The tendency to blame and shame men oversimplifies their struggles, ignoring systemic issues like economic pressures and the stigmatization of vulnerability. By fostering empathy, challenging stereotypes, and encouraging authenticity, society can create a healthier dating culture that supports meaningful connections for everyone.Continue reading