Men dying six years younger than women

IRISH men die six years younger than women despite higher male life expectancy in recent years.

And men in the non-professional classes are more at risk of being in bad health. The alarming findings follow a major new three-year research study on men's health.

The commissioned study, Getting Inside Men's Health, is pivotal to the development of a national policy on male health.

The report suggested that specific measures are necessary to encourage and support men to take greater responsibility for their own health. The findings will be discussed next week at a first-ever national conference on men's health.

In spite of increased male life expectancy, statistics show Irish men continue to die, on average, six years younger than women. The higher death rates are across all age groups and for all leading causes of death.

The study, making comparisons between men and their jobs, found men from the non-professional classes have worse health in all age groups. Equally worrying was the finding that men are four times more likely than women to take their own lives. The study showed sex differences in mortality figures were particularly pronounced in the case of road traffic accidents and suicides.

A total of 570 men were surveyed for the study which focused on the levels of health consciousness among men; knowledge of fundamental health issues; preventative health ethos of Irish men; relationships with their GP; women's affect on men's health as well as why men are often afraid to ask for help.

Coping with illness, taking risks with their health and their struggle with emotional and mental issues were also examined. The study found that compared to women, men have higher levels of health-damaging behaviours and risk behaviours.

The report suggested that specific measures are necessary to support men to take greater responsibility for their health. Men's reluctance to access primary care and their propensity to present late in the course of an illness are identified as key issues that must be targeted in the forthcoming men's health policy.

The report showed though social and economic roles of men and women are changing, traditional views and attitudes towards gender remain prevalent.

The planned midweek conference in Wexford, Men's Health Asking The Questions, is organised by the South Eastern Health Board and the Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health and Children.

Speakers include Dr Will Courtenay, an international expert in men's health; Dr Elise Langdon-Neuner; Prof Tom O'Dowd; Alan O'Neill; Noel Richardson and Professor Alan White.