MEN'S HEALTH; REASONS FOR SHORTER LIFE EXPECTANCY AMONG NIGERIAN MEN, PREVENTION AND RECOMMENDATIONSDR NKEONYE JUDITH IZUKARESIDENT PHYSICIANDENNIS ASHLEY WELLNESS CENTRE

PERCEPTIONS OF MEN’S HEALTH…..• WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

•Surveys in the African Region indicate that men think health is the ability to work and live up to their role in society…..

HENCE…..

•However, few men take a proactive, preventative stance in regard to their health to ensure this.

IS THIS YOU?

IT’S UNLIKELY YOU ARE THE PERSON IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE IF…..•You undertake lifestyle modification and preventative health screening which can help men live longer, happier and in good health.

GLOBAL OVERVIEW

• .

HUMAN LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH, MEASURED BY REGION, BETWEEN 1960 AND 2045

GAIN IN LIFE EXPECTANCY HAPPENS…

• “In high-income countries, much of the gain in life expectancy is due to success in tackling non-communicable diseases,” - Dr Ties Boerma, Director of the Department of Health Statistics and Information Systems at WHO

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA…..

•Life expectancy for both men and women is still less than 55 years in nine sub-Saharan African countries.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA…..

•Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

THE CULPRIT:NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

•Non-communicable - or chronic - diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression.

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES[NCDS] RESPONSIBLE FOR LOW LIFE EXPECTANCY AMONG NIGERIAN MEN [3]…1.Cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and

stroke),2.Cancers [prostrate, liver, colon] 3.Chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and 4.Diabetes.

THE INTERACTIONS…….

BENEFITS OF ELIMINATING NCDS…..

• If the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases were eliminated, at around three-quarters of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes would be prevented; and 40% of cancer would be prevented.

NCDS ARE NOT ONLY A HEALTH PROBLEM BUT A DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE AS WELL.• Non-communicable diseases force many people into, or

entrench them in poverty due to catastrophic expenditures for treatment. They also have a large impact on undercutting productivity.

HOLISTICALLY….

•A comprehensive approach is needed that requires all sectors, including health, finance, foreign affairs, education, agriculture, planning and others, to work together[3]

DENNIS ASHLEY WELLNESS CENTRE HELPS …

•Get your health risks assessed [online & at the clinic]•Biometric Screening: Check your blood pressure, weight, BMI, and waist circumference periodically.•Essential labs: lipid profile, blood sugar and kidney function, serum PSA

DENNIS ASHLEY WELLNESS CENTRE HELPS ….

•Consult with the nutritionist who individualises and advises you on your diet.•Consult with the fitness expert to help in

maintenance of a healthy weight. •Get your annual checks to know & discuss your risks

with the resident GP.

DENNIS ASHLEY WELLNESS CENTRE HELPS YOU….• Please get your prostate screening[PSA and DRE] as

you turn 40. • If you have a first degree relative with prostate

cancer, get yours from your mid-30s. • From age 50 years get your colonoscopy done

DENNIS ASHLEY WELLNESS CENTRE HELPS YOU….

•See your GP and discuss issues of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and jock itching etc.•Get screened for sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections

COPING WITH STRESS….

• Reduce stress by initiating positive relationships • Get Moving [exercise]• Get enough sleep• Prioritize and organise• Laugh at yourself & life• Please see our psychologist if you have concerns.

IN SUMMARY….

•Invest in your health!!

REFERENCES

1. http://www.afro.who.int/en/health-topics/topics/4351-mens-health.html

2. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/world-health-statistics-2014/en/

3. http://www.who.int/nmh/countries/nga_en.pdf?ua=14. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/