Tag: health empathy

“Men’s Health Isn’t Just Personal—It’s Structural:” Why This Conversation Matters Now More Than Ever

Advocacy, Disparities, Editorials, Legislative, Policy, Public Policy, RegulatoryLeave a comment

This article highlights Dr. Dominick Shattuck’s discussion on *The Meaning of Men Podcast*, exploring how men’s health outcomes are influenced not only by personal choices but also by healthcare systems, policies, and social structures. The piece examines why many men disengage from preventive care, the importance of meeting men where they are, and strategies that can improve long-term healthcare engagement. Building on Dr. Shattuck’s insights, Men’s Health Network discusses why this conversation is especially timely amid growing awareness of the Lifespan Gender Gap and ongoing efforts to improve men’s health policy and preventive care. The article emphasizes that men’s health is not just an individual issue, but one that affects families, workplaces, communities, and society as a whole.Continue reading

Why America Can No Longer Ignore Men’s Health: Responding to the Growing Call for a Federal Men’s Health Strategy

Advocacy, Boys, Disparities, Education, Family, Family Issues, Fatherhood, Growing Up, Health, Health, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Parenting, PolicyLeave a comment

This response article examines the growing national conversation around men’s health policy through the lens of Dr. Dominick Shattuck’s Substack post, “Why the U.S. Needs a Federal Strategy on Men’s Health.” The blog explores the nearly six-year Lifespan Gender Gap between men and women, highlighting how preventable conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, injury, and suicide continue contributing to premature mortality among men. It discusses the structural, cultural, and healthcare-system barriers that often prevent men from engaging in preventive care early, including stigma, medical mistrust, workplace pressures, and norms surrounding self-reliance. The article also analyzes the proposed H.R. 7602 — State of Men’s Health Act, which would establish a national study on men’s health disparities and create an Office of Men’s Health within HHS to coordinate prevention and public awareness efforts. Throughout the piece, the response emphasizes that improving men’s health outcomes is not a zero-sum issue, but rather a broader public health, workforce, family, and community issue that benefits society as a whole through stronger preventive care, earlier intervention, and improved healthcare engagement.Continue reading

June 2026: Men’s Health Month is Here!

Boys, Education, Family, Family Issues, Fatherhood, Growing Up, Lifestyle, Parenting, Well-beingLeave a comment

June marks Men’s Health Month and International Men’s Health Week, nationally and internationally recognized awareness periods focused on improving the health and well-being of men and boys through education, prevention, early detection, advocacy, and community engagement. Throughout the month, Men’s Health Network highlights important conversations around preventive care, mental health, chronic disease prevention, fatherhood, caregiving, workplace wellness, and closing the Lifespan Gender Gap through awareness campaigns, policy updates, community partnerships, and actionable health resources.Continue reading

From Advocacy to Action: Establishing Standards for Men’s Health Nursing

Advocacy, Editorials, New Again, Policy, Public Policy, Research and ScienceLeave a comment

Men’s Health Nursing has achieved formal specialty recognition through approval of its Scope and Standards of Practice by the American Nurses Association, marking a historic turning point for men’s health in the United States. This milestone establishes clear national standards for how nurses are trained and evaluated in caring for boys and men, transforming decades of advocacy into structured clinical action. As federal momentum builds with the introduction of H.R. 7602, the State of Men’s Health Act, this recognition strengthens the bridge between policy, professional education, and front-line care. Together, these advancements signal a new era in men’s health—one rooted in empathy, accountability, and a coordinated commitment to helping men live longer, healthier lives.Continue reading

Masculinity, Health, and the Power of Understanding: Why Dr. Smiler’s Books Make an Impact on the Conversation

Boys, Education, Education, Family, Family Issues, Fatherhood, Growing Up, Health, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Mental Health, Psychology, Well-beingLeave a comment

This blog highlights how Andrew Smiler brings clarity and balance to today’s conversations about masculinity through Is Masculinity Toxic?: A Primer for the 21st Century and The Masculine Self (7th Edition). Together, these books offer accessible language and evidence-informed insight into how masculine norms shape health, behavior, and relationships, moving the conversation beyond sound bites toward understanding that supports healthier outcomes for men and boys.Continue reading

Listen to Your Heart: Elevating Heart Valve Disease Awareness During Heart Health Month

Cardio, Events, Health, LifestyleLeave a comment

Heart Health Month and Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day (February 22) highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing heart valve disease—an often underdiagnosed condition affecting millions of Americans, particularly older adults. Many people experience symptoms that are mistaken for normal aging, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Awareness and early detection are critical, as heart valve disease is treatable when identified in time. Through the Alliance for Aging Research’s Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day campaign, individuals and organizations can access ready-to-use educational and social media resources to help spread awareness. By downloading and sharing these materials, everyone can play a role in encouraging conversations, earlier screening, and better heart health outcomes.Continue reading

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

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