Getting real about men’s health
Michael Whitehead, a registered nurse specialising in men’s health, emergency nursing and remote Indigenous Health, has launched a new website called Real Men’s Health that takes a plain-speaking approach to a range of topics impacting men.
Drawing on his own expertise and with input from qualified clinicians, Whitehead aims to translate medical jargon into “real language that is understandable.”
“As a practising men’s health clinician across rural and remote Australia, I see men’s health up front and personal,” says Whitehead, who previously led the Men’s Health project at St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
“No glossy brochures, no catchy slogans, just real men asking real questions about real issues in real time.
“The need for a dedicated site that addresses the real health concerns of males from all walks of life has been obvious for some time. Real Men’s Health is relatable, relevant and bite sized. A site that speaks to both the bedside clinician and the man in the street.”
Topics cover general health, fitness and nutrition, relationships and self-care. In an article titled, ‘The Five Health Checks For Every Male’ Whitehead calls out oral health stating that: Men are less likely to visit a dentist compared to women, and have higher incidence of developing oral cancer (almost 3:1 ratio) compared to females.
“Oral health has been described as the window into our overall health,” he writes. “Like other parts of the body, the mouth contains many germs and bacteria and maintaining balance is key to reducing illness and disease.”
One article discusses whether reading can make you live longer, another looks at how effective golf is at lowering cholesterol, and yet another examines whether being a dad increases the risk of heart disease.
Whitehead takes a deep dive into Older Men and Homelessness and the connection between trauma and homelessness.
“Providing men with places where they can find support and be linked to other services, in earlier parts of life, can significantly help improve health and quality of life outcomes in later life for men,” writes Chaplain Jason Lal who developed the Wayside Men’s Group to support men, particularly those sleeping rough.
Other articles look at how young men shape their masculinity through sport, the popularity of men’s sheds, how FIFO effects parenting, the positive benefits of playing club sports, five top men’s health podcasts, grandfathering and the men’s skin care market and “why men don’t like to talk about it.”
Peer-reviewed publications written by Michael Whitehead, Men’s Health in Nursing Practice include:
- ‘Men’s health in nursing practice’, (International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health)
- ‘Men’s health in waiting rooms; an observational study’ (International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health.
Michael is the current National Chair for Nursing and Allied Health with Healthy Male Australia.