The Men’s Health Network recently hosted Atlanta Men’s Health Summit at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. This free event featured speakers from across the region on topics related to the physical and mental health of men and boys, with an acute focus on disparities and at-risk populations. Partners that were in attendance included Shield, Mercy Care, Fathers Matter ATL, Alzheimer’s Association, Morehouse School of Medicine, Exact Sciences and Choose Healthy Life.
The event had an amazing turn out with men from a variety of ages in attendance. Many attendees completed health screenings ranging from annual check-ups to colon cancer screening.
There is an ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and well-being of men. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally induced behavior patterns in their work and personal lives, men’s health and well-being are deteriorating steadily.
The men’s health crisis is seen most dramatically in mortality figures. In 1920, the life expectancy of males and females was roughly the same. Since that time and, increasingly, in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the life expectancy for men has dropped in comparison with that of women, with women outliving men by more than five years. Over the last 30 years, the ratio of male mortality over female mortality has increased in every age category. Men’s Health Network (MHN) was created to address the growing men’s health crisis.
The Men’s Health Network goal is to 1) save men’s lives by reducing the premature mortality of men and boys 2) increase the physical and mental health of men so that they can live fuller and happier lives 3) to significantly reduce the cycles of violence and addiction that afflict so many men and 3) develop support men’s health among the general population within the healthcare system.
