Tag: health empathy

Boys Falling Off the Health-Care Map: And How We Keep Them Connected

Anxiety, Boys, Depression, Education, Education, Family, Family Issues, Growing Up, Health, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Mental Health, Others, Relationships, Well-beingLeave a comment

This blog, reposted from Dominick Shattuck, PhD’s Substack with permission from the author, examines new research showing how many boys quietly disengage from preventive health care during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Drawing on findings from the Journal of Adolescent Health and decades of men’s health research, the piece explores how masculinity norms, low perceived risk, structural barriers, and unwelcoming health systems contribute to boys “falling off the health-care map.” It highlights why this early disengagement matters for long-term health outcomes and outlines practical, evidence-informed strategies for building health systems that keep boys connected to care before preventable problems become lifelong challenges.Continue reading

Illinois Leads the Nation in Men’s Health: A Closer Look at the 2025 Men’s Health Assessment

Advocacy, Disparities, Editorials, Legislative, Policy, Public Policy, Regulatory, Research and ScienceLeave a comment

Illinois is leading the nation in men’s health by becoming one of the only states with a dedicated Men’s Health Section within its Department of Public Health. The newly released Men’s Health Assessment 2025, authored by Andrew Lerch, DPT, PT, provides a comprehensive, data-driven look at the health challenges facing men across the state. This landmark report highlights disparities, identifies priority areas for action, and offers a blueprint for how states can integrate men’s health into public health strategy, policy, and practice.Continue reading

Merry Christmas from Men’s Health Network: Honoring Our Legacy, Renewing Our Mission

Family, Family Issues, Fatherhood, Lifestyle, Parenting, Well-beingLeave a comment

A Christmas message from Men’s Health Network reflecting on a year of progress, honoring a legacy that helped shape the men’s health movement, and recommitting to an empathy-driven mission focused on education, prevention, advocacy, and community outreach, so that men can live longer, healthier lives and remain present for the families and communities that depend on them.Continue reading

Men’s Health Network Wins Two ADDY Awards: The Choice Is Yours Campaign

Education, Health, Lifestyle, VaccinesLeave a comment

Men’s Health Network’s Choice Is Yours campaign—featuring Dres of the iconic 90s hip-hop group Black Sheep—earned two ADDY Awards for Strategic Communications and Web Video, recognizing its culturally authentic, long-form approach to men’s health education. Centered on a three-hour, in-depth conversation, the campaign emphasizes choice, empathy, and trust, meeting men where they are and empowering them to engage with their health on their own terms.Continue reading

Reclaiming Masculinity: The Courage to Be Whole

Boys, Editorials, Growing Up, Masculinity, New AgainLeave a comment

In Reclaiming Masculinity: The Courage to Be Whole, Men’s Health Network spotlights the work of Dr. David P. Jachim, a psychoanalyst and MHN Advisory Board member whose book Men at the Brink: Masculinity in the 21st Century explores how modern narratives have distorted society’s view of manhood. Dr. Jachim examines the emotional and cultural costs of labeling masculinity as “toxic,” while calling for men to reclaim the virtues of courage, compassion, and integrity. Through empathy, self-care, and brotherhood, men can resist alienation and redefine strength in ways that heal, not harm. This reflection offers a powerful reminder: masculinity is not the problem—misunderstanding it is.Continue reading

November: A Month to Focus on Men’s Health and Community

Advocacy, Aging, Anxiety, Boys, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Diabetes, Disparities, Editorials, Education, Family, Family Issues, Fertility, Growing Up, Health, Health, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Mental Health, Nutrition, Other Cancers, Parenting, Policy, Psychology, Relationships, Sex, STDs, Testicular, Testosterone, Well-beingLeave a comment

November is a pivotal month for raising awareness about men’s health and community well-being. From Alzheimer’s and diabetes to epilepsy, tobacco use, and sexual health, each observance offers an opportunity to take action and encourage preventive care. Men’s Health Network emphasizes that health doesn’t take a season off—simple habits, early conversations, and empathy-driven outreach can make lasting change. This month’s blog highlights national campaigns like the Great American Smokeout, National Diabetes Month, and Impotence Education Month, alongside Illinois’ groundbreaking creation of a Division of Men’s Health. It also spotlights the growing Men’s Health Ambassadorship Program—ordinary people doing extraordinary work to close the Lifespan Gender Gap and build healthier communities. Through awareness, advocacy, and everyday choices, November reminds us that improving men’s health is a shared mission that benefits families, workplaces, and society as a whole.Continue reading

Prostate Cancer Needs More Than a Global Initiative: Ground-Level Action Needed

Advocacy, Boys, Disparities, Economics, Education, Education, Family, Family Issues, Fatherhood, Growing Up, Health, Health, Legislative, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Policy, Prostate, Public Policy, Regulatory, Research and ScienceLeave a comment

Men’s Health Network responds to Global Action on Men’s Health’s new report on prostate cancer with a call for urgent, ground-level action. While supporting a WHO-led global initiative, MHN stresses that real impact requires community outreach, empathy-driven education, and trusted local engagement. Prostate cancer is rising fast, especially among underserved men, yet too many go without screening or support. This Men’s Health Month, MHN urges policymakers and the public to bridge the empathy gap and take action now. Learn more, get involved, and help bring life-saving care to where men live, work, play, and pray.Continue reading

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