College Men: A Look at Their Health Needs and How They

Are, or Aren’t, Being MetDr. Susan Milstein, CHES, CSE

Professor Elizabeth Ridings, MA, HFI

Health Enhancement DepartmentMontgomery College

Rockville, MD

Wellness Wheel

Men’s Health

Why is it important?

Male youth More likely to drown, be victims of homicide, die in a car

accident and commit suicide

College men More likely to be in a physical fight, verbally threatened,

drive after drinking, or have unprotected sex

Older males Have a shorter lifespan than women Use less preventative health care Have a high risk of suicide

Men’s Health

Why aren’t we talking about it? Don’t see a need Gender bias Women’s health movement

39 states have dedicated women’s health programming/staff 6 states for men

Intellectual health

Declining performance in school more likely to repeat a grade more likely to be expelled or suspended men’s enrollment in college is declining

Physical health

Top 10 causes of death Heart disease Cancer Diabetes

Physical activity Men are more sports driven Exercise recommendations

Nutrition needs Increased caloric intake More fiber Awareness of vitamin and mineral needs

Physical health

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Through high school, boys are more likely to use drugs In college, males are more likely to use drugs (except for

alcohol)

Body Image Eating Disorders

Men may account 10% of eating disorders Muscle Dysmorphia

Bigorexia

Mental health

Stress ?? Less likely to discuss stress More likely to focus on physical symptoms

Mental health

Depression Deny it Mask it Act out

Suicide

8th leading cause of death for men

3rd leading cause of death for males 10 - 24

What’s next?

What’s currently being done?

College courses Montgomery College

Men’s Health

West Virginia University Men’s Health Issues in Men’s Health

Siena College Men’s Health Issues

Bridgewater State College First year seminar –

Issues in Male Health

Portland State University Men's Health

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Masculinity, Sexual

Behavior & Health

University of Washington Issues in Men’s health

George Washington Univ. Male Health Across the

Lifespan

Community programs Men’s Health Center – Lewisville, TX Men’s Health University – Integris Health, OK Peer health education

Colleges/Universities Community Organizations

Professional resources Men’s Health World Congress Men’s Health Network APHA Men’s Health Caucus

Men’s Health Initiative

Q & A

Contact Information Dr. Susan Milstein

susan.milstein@montgomerycollege.edu 240-567-7578

Prof. Elizabeth Ridings elizabeth.ridings@montgomerycollege.edu 240-567-7582

Resources

General men’s health information Men’s Health Network www.menshealthnetwork.org

Copies of “Blueprint for Men's Health” and “Your Head: An Owner's Manual” available for download

Eating disorders National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

www.anad.org

Resources

Drug use and abuse National Institute on Drug Abuse http://www.nida.nih.gov

College health data ACHA NCHA http://www.acha-ncha.org/