Pre-conference: European public health: collaboration, initiatives and new policies
Wednesday 28 November, 09:00 - 13:30 and 12:30 - 17:00
Organised by:
European Public Health Association (EUPHA)
Afternoon Sessions 15:30 - 17:00
Improving men’s health and well-being: the WHO men’s health strategy
Organiser: WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO Regions for Health Network
Programme
15:30 - 17:00 Improving men’s health and well-being: the WHO men’s health strategy
Organiser: WHO Regional Office for Europe; WHO Regions for Health Network
Chairperson: Piroska Ostlin, Director, Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being, WHO Regional Office for Europe
Main presenter: Isabel Yordi, Senior Advisor Gender and Human Rights, WHO Regional Office for Europe
Panellists:
- Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, President EUPHA
- Maurizia Rolli, Health Director, Institute of Social Security, San Marino
- Noel Richardson, National Centre For Men's Health, Institute of Technology, Carlow, Ireland
- Niclas Järvklo, Division for Gender Equality, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Stockholm, Sweden
- Maria Augusta Nicoli, Chief, Social Innovation Department, Health Enterprise, Emilia Romagna, Italy
- Gill Richardson, Assistant Director for Policy, Research and International Development, National Health Service, Wales, United Kingdom
In September 2018, the 53 Member States of the European Region of WHO will endorse the Strategy on health and well-being of men. The strategy is triggered by the high level of premature mortality among men, particularly in the eastern part of the Region. The focus on men’s health has also been driven by the increased understanding of the impact of gender as a determinant of men’s health and the increased engagement of men’s groups in the gender equality agenda.
Ill-health and health inequities among men in the WHO European Region are also strongly influenced by exposure to risk factors such as alcohol consumption, tobacco and other substance use, and overweight. Evidence indicates that risk factors are highly interrelated and tend to cluster because of social and economic inequities. Smoking, alcohol and drug use are strongly determined by gender norms and roles and socioeconomic background. Substance abuse, and alcohol and drug use disorders are more common among boys, and the total number of suicides in adolescent boys if four times higher than in girls. However, men report better subjective health than women, and less unmet health care needs. Most of the evidence shows different patterns of health seeking behaviour and of distribution of formal care. Processes that contribute to social exclusion and vulnerability, such as financial insecurity, migration and discrimination increase risks for ill-health among both men and women. Gender norms and roles intersect with these processes to marginalize and exclude some groups of men increasing their exposure to ill-health as illustrated by the higher risk of tuberculosis among homeless, prisoners or men with alcohol dependency.
The strategy employs a life-course approach and focuses on key areas of men’s health and well-being, such as noncommunicable diseases, violence and injuries, mental disorders and suicide, the responses of the health systems, as well as on key areas for engaging men in gender equality, such as sexual and reproductive health, prevention of violence against women, unpaid care and fatherhood.
The preconference includes a main presentation by WHO on the men’s health and well-being strategy illustrating the main priorities and key areas for action; the presentation will be informed by findings from the evidence review on men’s health, which complements the strategy.
The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with panellists from 6 countries granting geographical representation of the WHO European Region and representing both the national and subnational level of governance.
Panellists will debate promising practices and initiatives, as well as challenges encountered when implementing programmes aimed at improving men’s health and well-being.
Registration fee
The registration fee is € 70 for morning or afternoon and € 140 for a full day, which includes networking lunch and refreshments. For Slovenian delegates the fee is € 20 for morning or afternoon and € 40 for a full day (lunch and refreshments included).