Stevenson Adds His Support for Men's Health Week

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has backed a Parliamentary Motion supporting Men’s Health Week seek which aims to encourage men to undertake regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Stevenson said:

“It is great to see many sectors such as health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals coming together to publicise the week. Special recognition must be given to Men's Health Forum Scotland for the power of good that it does.

“Research has shown that men have a lower life expectancy, higher suicide rate and a higher death rate from diseases such as cancer and heart disease than women. Furthermore, it is recognised that men are less likely to have chronic diseases identified and treated early and that men attend their GPs less than half as often as women. Hopefully the activities of Men’s Health Week will ensure that this trend of men shying from their GP will reverse.

“Attention must be given to the simple fact that regular medical examinations, preventive screenings, exercise and healthy eating habits help save lives and can lead to men living longer with a higher quality of life. The importance of annual health examinations and early detection cannot be overstated.

“I am sure that Men’s Health Week achieved its aim of heightening the awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. It must also be noted that recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue.”