Mengage
Engaging Health Services to Engage Men and Boys
Social Factors
The World Health Organisation released its publication 
The Solid Facts -469 KB in 2003 and since then the principles of the Social Determinants approach have been widely recognised as important factors in preventative health promotion. These sections outline specific resources that are working to improve determinants of male health in Australia and internationally.
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Education
Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Health
If lifelong learning is the key to good health, then we had best be clear on some of the practices that help boys engage with learning and education. This section provides resources that have been found to be useful in encouraging boys to stay motivated to learn and to encourage teachers and educators to better understand what motivates boys to engage with learning. -
Employment & Work
Health At Work
Since most men spend about a third of their waking hours at work, finding ways to incorporate health into the workplace is one way of improving male health rates. Conversely, the health impacts of not being able to find work or undertaking dangerous or stressful work are well-documented. This section provides resources that promote healthy workplaces and examine programs that improve male health at work. -
Gender Equality
Gender Equality
Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman you should have the same access to opportunities, receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against based on gender. -
Health & Housing
Housing For Health
Shelter is a basic human need and the quality and stability of one's shelter will have a huge impact on health. Men can be at risk from poor access to housing as can women.With rising house prices, rents and utility costs in Australia, the issue of how people are housed is actually affecting health when they have to prioritise between housing and bills, and other essential costs. In this section, we profile resources that inform how men and housing intersect. -
Health Equity & Inequality
Health Equity and Inequality
Health is inherently unequal, at least in modern society. Improving gender equality means raising the standards of both males and females upwards and to do this a collective and community-driven response is needed. Resources in this section offer examples of programs that are seeking to address gender equality by engaging and involving males. -
Social Connections & Relationships
Social Connections & Relationships
Men and women need more than just passing acquaintances to be healthy. Part of the reasoning behind the men's sheds movement is to encourage the kinds of social interactions among peers around hobbies, sport, family etc that helps to promote better health. These resources provide evidence and resources for improving the way that systems and services can become structured to facilitate better social connections among men. -
Male Carers
Male Carers
There is a lack of recognition for male carers. According to the ABS in 2009, there were more male carers (54%) than female carers. Male carers need to be supported in their caring roles as they are often juggling work and other commitments. Being a male carer they can potentially become socially isolated, experience lack of adequate social support and suffer from poor mental health. -
Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health
The social determinants of health (SDH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.(World Health Organisation) -
Social Integration
Social Integration
For many men, their primary challenge is to work out how to fit into a new culture and society. As Australia welcomes more immigrants or farewells its own to overseas work and living, understanding how men create social connections, access employment, navigate services and find their way in a new country becomes essential to managing the emotional and mental challenges of migration.
Men's Health Peer Education
The Men's Health Peer Education (MHPE) program raises awareness about men's health issues and encourages men to share responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.
The program began as a result of the Vietnam Veterans' Health Study revealing a higher rate of health issues among Vietnam Veterans. The program operates across all Australian states and territories, through a network of trained volunteers working with the veteran and ex-service community.
Sharing health information:
Volunteers share health information in a range of ways, including the following:
- giving a talk on a health issue at an ex-service organisation meeting
- setting up or working with a 'Men's Shed'
- running a stand at a community expo, field day or health conference
- organising or supporting a Veterans’ Health Week and/or International Men's Health Week event
- distributing the MHPE Magazine and other health resources
- chatting about health issues to a mate at a barbeque
- encouraging and supporting veterans to participate in DVA Health Promotion initiatives such as Pit Stop training, the Cooking for one or two program and 10,000 Steps Challenge
Read more here
The Learning Partnership: Engaging Boys For Success A Focus On Vulnerable Communities
This Canadian study conducted in 2014 in Toronto examines the gender gap in education between boys and girls and gives useful suggestions to address and reduce the gender gap issues in communities nationally and internationally with recommendations to schools, boards of education, communities and government.
DEEWR: Resources To Engage Boys In Education
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has produced these guides directed at teachers to enhance engagement of boys in learning. The messages from this resource hold some applicable lessons for anyone trying to engage boys and young men in learning settings.