Men's attitudes towards health and the implications for nursing care

This article considers men's health and the effects that men's attitudes and behaviour may have on their health status. Many men still take too many risks with their health, e.g. they may drive too fast and drink too much alcohol; this may be the result of social structuring that stereotypes men and boys into being strong and in control. Traditional attitudes concerning gender still prevail and may explain why a number of men engage in risk-taking behaviour that can have detrimental effects on their physical and mental health and why men are often unwilling to access healthcare services. Men's health is also linked to their social class and the type of work they undertake. A greater understanding of male gender and health should encourage nurses to develop innovative, gender-sensitive approaches to healthcare provision for men, in partnership with men themselves and with other healthcare agencies.