This advocacy op-ed argues that health education and preventive care programs should be expanded within correctional facilities to address the significant health disparities experienced by incarcerated men and boys. The article highlights how improved health literacy, chronic disease management, mental health awareness, and continuity of care can lead to better health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and stronger community reintegration. It emphasizes that voluntary, ethically implemented health education programs are a practical public health investment that benefits both incarcerated individuals and society as a whole.Continue reading
Tag: preventive care
Why America Can No Longer Ignore Men’s Health: Responding to the Growing Call for a Federal Men’s Health Strategy
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
Men’s Health Month, June 2026: A Month of Action for Men, Families, & Communities
Men's Health Month 2026 brought together healthcare organizations, policymakers, community leaders, employers, volunteers, and advocates from across the country to improve the health and well-being of men and boys. From 170 official proclamations and a Congressional Men's Health Event on Capitol Hill to community fundraisers, educational initiatives, and national partnerships, this year's campaign highlighted the power of collaboration in advancing men's health. As June comes to a close, Men's Health Network reflects on the month's accomplishments and looks ahead to continuing this important work throughout the year.Continue reading
As Colorectal Cancer Rises in Young Men, Silence Remains Deadly
This personal story explores the growing rise of colorectal cancer among younger men through the experience of Junius Nottingham Jr., whose son Jeremy died from advanced colorectal cancer at just 31 years old after an undiagnosed case of Lynch syndrome. The blog highlights how stigma, silence, and cultural expectations around masculinity often prevent men from speaking up about symptoms, seeking preventive care, or advocating for genetic testing. It also raises awareness about Lynch syndrome as the most common hereditary cause of colorectal cancer and emphasizes the importance of family health history, early detection, and proactive healthcare conversations. Through personal reflection and advocacy, the author encourages men and families to connect the dots around hereditary cancer risks, seek medical evaluation early, and break the silence surrounding men’s health and cancer prevention. Continue reading
Meet Men’s Health Network’s Advisory Board: Advancing Men’s Health via Expertise, Collaboration, & Leadership
Men's Health Network is proud to be guided by an accomplished Advisory Board made up of physicians, researchers, public health leaders, nurses, psychologists, educators, policy experts, and advocates who share a commitment to improving the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families. Their collective expertise helps shape our educational resources, advocacy priorities, research initiatives, and community outreach efforts. From advancing men's health policy and preventive care to strengthening partnerships and expanding public awareness, our Advisory Board plays an important role in helping Men's Health Network fulfill its mission. Meet the remarkable individuals whose leadership, experience, and dedication continue to drive meaningful progress for men's health across the United States and around the world.Continue reading
Meet Our Men’s Health Network Ambassadors: Dedicated volunteers advancing men’s health via education, advocacy, and community leadership.
Meet the dedicated volunteers helping advance men's health across the United States and beyond. From physicians, nurses, researchers, and educators to cancer survivors, veterans, and community advocates, Men's Health Network Ambassadors are making a difference by promoting education, prevention, and healthier communities. Discover their inspiring stories and learn how you can become an ambassador in your own community.Continue reading
Sleep Apnea & Men’s Health: What Couples Should Know During Men’s Health Week
During Men’s Health Week 2026, the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners (ASAP) and Men’s Health Network (MHN) are raising awareness around sleep apnea as a major but often overlooked men’s health issue affecting millions of men and families nationwide. The blog highlights how symptoms such as loud snoring, breathing pauses, chronic exhaustion, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction may all be connected to untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It also explores how sleep apnea impacts cardiovascular health, mental health, relationships, workplace productivity, and overall quality of life. Emphasizing that sleep apnea is both a personal and household health issue, ASAP and MHN encourage couples and families to recognize warning signs early, support preventive care conversations, and seek evaluation and treatment to improve long-term health outcomes and well-being.Continue reading
The Role of Healthcare Systems in Improving Mental Health Support for Men
This blog explores the important role healthcare systems play in improving mental health support for men. It highlights how stigma, traditional masculinity norms, underdiagnosis, and delayed intervention often prevent men from seeking mental health care early. The article discusses how healthcare systems can help close these gaps by expanding access to care, integrating mental health into primary care settings, improving early screening and preventive services, and reducing administrative and financial barriers that limit treatment access. It also examines the operational challenges healthcare providers face when delivering mental health services, including insurance complexity, reimbursement issues, staffing burdens, and long-term care costs. Ultimately, the blog emphasizes that improving men’s mental health outcomes requires a system-wide approach focused on accessibility, early intervention, integrated care, and sustainable healthcare infrastructure that encourages men to seek support without stigma. Continue reading
June 2026: Men’s Health Month is Here!
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
Men’s Social Determinants of Health
This blog explains how men’s health goals and outcomes are deeply shaped by social determinants of health (SDOH)—the non-medical factors that influence where men are born, how they are raised, where they work, and how they age. It outlines the five core SDOH—economic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context—and shows how each affects men’s ability to seek care, make healthy choices, and maintain well-being. The piece emphasizes that men’s health challenges are not due to personal failure, but to structural barriers such as financial strain, limited healthcare access, demanding work schedules, unsafe or resource-poor neighborhoods, and stigma around help-seeking. By increasing awareness of how these determinants interact, the article argues that men can better understand their health challenges, reduce stigma, and support healthier behaviors, ultimately strengthening families, communities, and long-term outcomes for future generations.Continue reading
