Men’s Perspectives – A Global Overview
W. Rutz (DK) of the World Health Organization reported on the state of health of men in Europe (which is by no means satisfying yet opposite to that of women) and explained WHO-strategies to cope, especially where solutions are badly needed involving gender issues and gender interaction. Also, the European Union has it high on her agenda to develop plans how to tackle men’s behavior regarding healthcare-related matters and to motivate them to take better care of themselves in their own interest and that of their families.
A. White (UK) of the European Men’s Health Forum presented the results of the first European report on men’s health, which was first presented in mid 2003, and which strongly underlines the deficits on men’s health in the 15 EU-countries as well as Norway and Switzerland and thus the need for quick and effective action, also from the side of political bodies and opinion leaders. Nevertheless, White could come up with some success stories; so for instance, in some countries partaking in this survey, the number of newly developed lung cancer could be reduced.
In contrast, I. Khalaf (Egypt) drew a fascinating but at the same time quite chilling picture of the “African perspective” on men’s health, explaining the specific health hazards including malaria and AIDS, as well as the socioeconomic challenges that still must be faced on this continent.