On what principles should a national men’s health policy be based? That was one of the questions considered by Paula Carroll and EMHF board member Noel Richardson when drafting Ireland’s new policy. Here’s how they answered it.
A number of key theoretical and philosophical principles have been adopted in developing Ireland's national men's health policy, each of which is discussed below.
Adopting a gender-mainstreaming approach
This policy adopts a gendered approach to men’s health and recognises gender in the context of culturally defined masculine or feminine traits that are deemed to be socially appropriate to the sexes.
A ‘gender-mainstreaming’ approach recognises that gender equality is best achieved through the integration of the health concerns of men and women in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, both within and beyond health.
Building on the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004, this policy endorses the approach taken by Health Canada’s Gender-based Analysis Policy and the Equal Opportunities Commission’s Gender Equality Duty Code of Practice in England and Wales, and adapts these policies as potential frameworks from which to develop a gender-mainstreaming approach to men’s health in Ireland, across all Government departments, in the future.
Adopting a social determinants approach
This policy adopts a social determinants approach to defining men’s health. It recognises that social and economic factors, including poverty, are key determinants of the health status of men.
The policy aligns itself with existing strategies that target the reduction of poverty in Ireland and that seek to tackle health inequalities by working in partnership with National Anti-Poverty Networks and the Community Development Programme. By recognising diversity within men, this policy acknowledges the right of all men in Ireland to the best possible health, irrespective of social, cultural, political or ethnic differences.
Adopting a community development approach
In recognition of the fact that one’s community, defined by geography, culture or social stratification, is a valuable resource for health, this policy seeks to harness social capital among communities of men through a community development approach. By adopting this approach to men’s health and positioning this policy within the wider social inclusion policy of Government, all communities of men in Ireland may be supported to achieve optimum health and well-being.
Adopting a health promotion, preventative approach
In the context of supporting health behaviour change and reducing premature mortality among men in Ireland, this policy calls for a gendered approach to the implementation and evaluation of health promotion policy in Ireland. It centres on three core areas – settings (eg. workplace), populations (eg. young men) and topics (eg. smoking cessation) – whereby lifestyle modification is targeted via key settings and topics through a life stage approach.
Adopting an intersectoral and interdepartmental approach
Under the aegis of the Advisory Health Forum, this policy seeks to promote men’s health in synergy with other policies and services within and beyond the health sector. Such an approach calls for the strengthening of alliances and partnerships with the community and voluntary sectors, as well as with the statutory sector in areas such as education, employment, environment and social affairs.
Tackling men’s health from a strengths perspective
This policy endorses a positive and holistic approach to men’s health – one that addresses the underlying causal factors that can be attributed to men’s poorer health outcomes and that creates health-enhancing environments for boys and men. While it is imperative not to overlook the ‘problems’, it is equally important to build on the many strengths of men in Ireland and to challenge men to take increased responsibility for their own health.
This policy does not seek to make men dependent on the healthcare system, but rather to facilitate them in looking after themselves and in their use of appropriate services for better health and quality of life. Supporting men to become more active agents and advocates for their own health This policy sets out a range of initiatives, in the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, designed to support men in becoming better advocates for their own health.
