national men’s health action plan healthy ireland - men hi ...hi-m 2017-2021 is relevant to a wide...
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NatioNal MeN’s HealtH actioN PlaN
HealtHy Ireland - MenHI-M 2017-2021
Working with men in Ireland to achieve optimum health and wellbeing
Citation: Health Service Executive, 2016
contents
Foreword i
abbreviations iii
executive Summary 1
Part 1: Preamble 3
ireland’s pioneering role in men’s health policy development 3
National Men’s Health Policy Review 4
Therationaleformaintainingaspecificfocusonmen’shealth 4
Evidencesupportinggender-specificor‘men-friendly’approaches 5
Buildingonthemomentumandkeymilestonesachievedtodate 6
Part 2: National Men’s Health Action Plan; Healthy Ireland - Men [HI-M] 2017-2021 9
appendices
Appendix 1:KeyNMHPAPmilestonesinthecontextoftheHealthyIrelandpolicyframework 15
Appendix 2: Potentialcross-sectoralimpactofHI-M2017-2021 16
Appendix 3:Impetusandbackgroundtopolicydevelopment 19
Appendix 4:NationalMen’sHealthPolicyReview 21
Appendix 5:Therationaleformaintainingaspecificfocusonmen’shealth 25
Appendix 6:Nationalandinternationalpublicationsandpresentations 29
Appendix 7:MembershipoftheNationalMen’sHealthPolicyImplementationGroup 41
Appendix 8:ExistingpolicythatwillbesupportedbyactionsfromHI-M2017-2021 43
i8
Foreword
IrelandwasthefirstcountryintheworldtoadoptaNationalMen’sHealthPolicy,andothercountries
are now building upon the pioneering spirit and practical learning from the Irish experience. The
publicationofthisActionPlanforMen’sHealth[HealthyIreland-Men2017-2021(HI-M2017-2021)]is
asignificantandimportantstepincontinuingthemomentumandprogressthathasbeenachievedin
theareaofmen’shealthpolicyinIrelandinrecentyears.
There remains an urgent need to maintain a specific focus onmen’s health. This is grounded in
continuedsexdifferencesinlifeexpectancyandmortality,healthinequalitiesbetweendifferentsub-
populationsofmen,asubstantialbodyofevidencesupportingagender-specificapproachtoengage
moreeffectivelywithmen,andtheimperativetobuildonprogressachievedtodate.Underpinningthis
progresshasbeenanexplicitfocusongender-specificstrategiesrelatedtocommunityengagement,
capacitybuilding,partnershipandsustainability.
Inresponseto thekeyrecommendationsofan independentReviewof thepreviousNationalMen’s
HealthPolicyandActionPlan[NMHPAP2008-2013],HI-M2017-2021adoptsafocusedandstrategic
approach to addressmany of the key health topics and themes under the Framework of Actions
highlightedinHealthyIrelandandtheHSEpriorityareas.
ThesametheoreticalandphilosophicalprinciplesthatunderpinnedtheNMHPAP2008-2013continue
to provide a basis from which to advance men’s health in the context of HI-M 2017-2021. Since
publicationoftheNMHPAP2008-2013,therehasbeenabreadthofevidencesupportingandinforming
theneedforagender-specificapproachacrossadiverserangeoftopics,settingsandtargetmale
populationgroups.Thisevidence,alongwithongoingmen’shealthwork,providesaplatform from
whichtoprogressandbuildmomentumintheyearsahead.
HI-M2017-2021isrelevanttoawideaudience-policymakers,serviceproviders,healthandallied
healthprofessionals,andtothosewhoworkwithmeninthecommunityandvoluntarysectors-and
setsout anewvisionand roadmap formen’shealth that canplayapivotal role in supporting the
implementationofHealthyIreland.
dr. Cate HartiganHead of Health Promotion and improvementHealthandWellbeingDivision,HealthServiceExecutive
iiiVI
AbbreviationsCHBR CentreforHealthBehaviourResearch(inWaterfordInstituteofTechnology)DAFM DepartmentofAgriculture,FoodandtheMarineDoES DepartmentofEducationandSkillsDoH DepartmentofHealthDoJEI DepartmentofJobs,EnterpriseandInnovationDoSP DepartmentofSocialProtectionE.G. ExempliGratia(forexample)FCSE FamilyCommunicationandSelf-EsteemFsP Farm safety PartnershipGAA GaelicAthleticAssociationGM GenderMainstreamingGP GeneralPractitionerHBSC HealthBehavioursinSchool-agedChildrenHi Healthy irelandHI-M HealthyIreland-MenHSA HealthandSafetyAuthorityHSE HealthServiceExecutiveICGP IrishCollegeofGeneralPractitionersics irish cancer societyIHF IrishHeartFoundationiMsa irish Men’s sheds association IPH InstituteofPublicHealthITC InstituteofTechnologyCarlowLGBT Lesbian,Gay,BisexualandTransgenderlsP local sports PartnershipMDN Men’sDevelopmentNetworkMHFI Men’sHealthForuminIrelandMHW Men’sHealthWeekMoM Men on the MoveNCMH NationalCentreforMen’sHealth(intheInstituteofTechnologyCarlow)NMHP National Men’s Health PolicyNMHPaP National Men’s Health Policy and action Plan NMHPIG NationalMen’sHealthPolicyImplementationGroupNOSP NationalOfficeforSuicidePreventionNYCI NationalYouthCouncilofIrelandPa Physical activityPE PhysicalEducationSEG Socio-EconomicGroupsi sport irelandSPHE Social,PersonalandHealthEducationWIT WaterfordInstituteofTechnology
VIII 1
ExecutiveSummary
IrelandbecamethefirstcountryintheworldtopublishaNationalMen’sHealthPolicy[NMHP]in2009
andhasbeen to the forefront, internationally, inadvancingmen’shealthat a research,policyand
advocacylevel.Underpinningitsapproachtomen’shealthpolicydevelopmentandimplementation
hasbeenanexplicitfocusongender-specificstrategiesrelatedtocommunityengagement,capacity
building, partnership and sustainability. Much of the work to date has revolved around excellent
partnershipsbetweenthestatutory,community/voluntaryandacademicsectors,resultinginastrong
evidencebase.Althoughostensiblyamen’s ‘health’policy, thePolicyhashadanexplicit focuson
mainstreamingmen’shealthacrossabroadspectrumofpolicyareas(withinandoutsideofhealth)and
contributingtomoreeffectiveimplementationofotherpolicyareas.
Thereremainsastrongrationaleformaintainingaspecificfocusonmen’shealth.Thisisgroundedin:
continuedsexdifferencesinlifeexpectancyandmortality;healthinequalitiesbetweendifferentsub-
populationsofmen;asubstantialbodyofevidencesupportingagender-specificapproach;andthe
imperativetobuildonthemomentumandkeymilestonesachievedinmen’shealthoverthepastten
years.TheNewPublicSectorEqualityandHumanRightsDutyprovidesamandateformaintaininga
policyfocusonmenaffectedbymarginalisation(e.g.Travellermen,ethnicminoritymenandgaymen).
InJune2014,theDepartmentofHealth[DoH]andtheHealthServiceExecutive[HSE]commissioned
aReviewofthePolicy,withaviewtoinformingthefuturedirectionofmen’shealthpolicyinIreland
alignedtothekeythemesofHealthyIreland[HI].TheReviewconcludedthat,overall,thePolicyhad
madeasignificantcontributiontoadvancingmen’shealthinIrelandandpaidtributetothesignificant
progress thathadbeenachieved in: (i)promotingan increased focusonmen’shealth research in
Ireland;(ii)developinghealthpromotioninitiativesthatsupportmentoadoptpositivehealthbehaviours
and to increasecontrolover their lives; (iii)buildingsocialcapitalwithincommunities formen;and
(iv) the development and delivery ofmen’s health training for health and other professionals. The
Reviewalsopaidtributetothesignificantprogressthathadbeenachievedindevelopingsustainable
alliancesandpartnershipsintheareaofmen’shealthinvolvingstatutory,communityandvoluntary,
andacademicsectors.Notwithstandingwhat it sawas theambitiousscopeandbreadthofpolicy
recommendations, theReview recommended that there shouldbe a continueddedicated national
focusonmen’shealthinIrelandtoensurethatthemomentumandtractionthathasbeenachieved
todateisnotlost.TheReviewalsorecommendedthedevelopmentofarevisedandmorefocused
ActionPlan formen’shealth thatshouldmakeexplicit links tootherhealthpolicyareasandclearly
demonstratehowaddressingmen’shealthwillsupporttheeffectiveimplementationofHealthyIreland.
ThesametheoreticalandphilosophicalprinciplesthatunderpinnedthepreviousActionPlancontinue
to provide a basis from which to maintain this ongoing agreed approach to men’s health policy
implementationandfromwhichtoadvancemen’shealthinthefuture.TherevisedMen’sHealthAction
2 3
Part1:Preamble
Ireland’s pioneering role in men’s health policy development Irelandhasbeentotheforefrontinternationallyinadvancingmen’shealthataresearch,policyand
advocacy level1.AsthefirstcountryintheworldtodevelopaNationalMen’sHealthPolicyandAction
Plan[NMHPAP2008-2013]2 Ireland’spioneeringrole inmen’shealthpolicydevelopmenthasbeen
describedby theBritishMedical Journal as ‘a particular source of inspiration for other countries3.
Through its implementation todate, anumberof significantmilestoneshavebeenachieved in the
contextoftheHealthyIrelandPolicyFramework(seeAppendix1).Crucially,Ireland’sNMHPAP2008-
2013hasalsoprovidedavisionandaframeworkforactionthatenabledthefieldofmen’shealthto
develop insynergywithotherpolicyareaswithinandbeyondthehealthsector4.Underpinning this
approachhasbeenanexplicitfocusongender-specificstrategiesrelatedtocommunityengagement,
capacity building, partnership and sustainability. Much of the work to date has revolved around
excellentpartnershipsbetweenthestatutory,community/voluntaryandacademicsectors,resultingin
astrongevidencebase.HavingaNMHPAPhasalsoresultedinmen’shealthbeingmorevisibleand
occupyingamoreprominentplaceinpublicdiscourse4.
Thepositioningofmen’shealthinsuchbroadtermswithinNMHPAP2008-2013,wasaclearstatement
ofthecross-sectoralandinter-departmentalresponsibilitiesassociatedwithpromotingmen’shealth,
butalsodrewattentiontothepotentialgainsandbenefitstoothersectorsandgovernmentdepartments
ofworkinginpartnershiptosupportmen’shealth(seeAppendix2).InthecontextoftheDepartment
ofJobs,EnterpriseandInnovation,forexample,aman’sinabilitytoliveafullandproductivelifeisa
considerableburdentotheeconomyintermsofassociatedhealthcarecostsandlossofworkplace
productivity.Increasingtheuptakeofparentalleavebyfathersiscrucialintermsofabroadergender-
relationsapproachtoequalityintheworkplace,andtochildcareanddomesticlabourwithinthehome
(DepartmentofJobs,EnterpriseandInnovation).TheDepartmentofEducationandSkillshasacritical
roletoplayinnurturingboys’self-esteemandcommunicationskillsfromanearlyage,toenablethem
asadultstohaveacquiredalanguageforexpressingemotionaldistressandtobemoreopenabout
seeking help, particularly for emotional problems. Notwithstanding the challenges associated with
inter-departmentalwork5,continuedeffortsareneededtopromotemen’shealthinthefuturethrough
synergieswithothergovernmentdepartments.Amoredetailedoverviewoftheimpetusandmandate
fordevelopingaNMHPAPisoutlinedinAppendix3.
1RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2009).Gettingmen’shealthontoapolicyagenda-chartingthedevelopmentofanationalmen’shealthpolicyinIreland.JournalofMen’sHealth:Vol6,No2;105-113.2DepartmentofHealthandChildren(2009).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy:WorkingwithmeninIrelandtoachieveoptimumhealthandwellbeing.HawkinsHouse,Dublin.3WhiteA.,McKeeM.,RichardsonN.,DeVisserR.,MadsenS.A.,deSousaB.,MakaraP.&ZatonskiW.(2011).Europe’smenneedtheirownhealthstrategy.BMJ343:d7397-11.4RichardsonN.(2013).BuildingMomentum,GainingTraction:Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthPolicy-5YearsOn.NewMaleStudies2(3):93-103.5BakerP.(2015).ReviewoftheNationalMen’sHealthPolicyandActionPlan2008-2013:FinalreportfortheHealthServiceExecutive.Availableat:http://pbmenshealth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ireland-Mens-Health-Policy-Review.Final-Full-Report.2015.pdf
Plan[HealthyIreland-Men2017-2021:HI-M2017-2021]setsoutanewvisionandroadmapformen’s
healthintheyearsahead.ThePlanworksintandemwithexistingstructuresandprogrammeswithin
theHSEandisdesignedtocontributetomoreeffectiveimplementationofprogrammesandservices
bymainstreamingmen’shealthacrossabroadspectrumofpolicyareas.FourThemes(T)andtwenty-
eightActions(A)havebeenidentifiedunderHI-M2017-2021.TheseThemesandActionshavebeen
framedwithdueregardtothekeyhealthtopicsandthemesundertheFrameworkofActionshighlighted
inHealthyIrelandandtheHSEpriorityareas.
T1:EstablishappropriategovernancestructuresthatarealignedwithHealthyIrelandtooversee
the implementationofHI-M2017-2021.
T2:ContributetotheimplementationofthepriorityprogrammesforHealthyIreland-healthyeatingandactive living,wellbeingandmentalhealth,positiveageing,alcohol, tobacco free,andhealthychildhood-withaparticularemphasisonaddressinghealthinequalitiesbetweendifferentsub-populationsofmen.
T3:Buildcapacitywiththosewhoworkwithmenandboystoadoptagendercompetentandmen-friendlyapproachtoengagingmenandboysatbothanindividualandanorganisationallevel.
T4: Ensurethatresearchcontinuestounderpin thedevelopmentofmen’shealthpractice inIrelandandcontributestotheHealthyIrelandagenda.
4 5
National Men’s Health Policy ReviewTheDepartmentofHealth[DoH]andtheHealthServiceExecutive[HSE]commissionedaReviewin
June2014toconsidertheoverallimplementationoftheNMHPAP2008-2013andtoinformthefuture
directionofmen’shealthpolicyinIrelandalignedtothekeythemesofHealthyIreland.TheReview56
(seesummaryofReviewfindingsinAppendix4)concludedthat,overall,theNMHPAP2008-2013had
madeasignificantcontributiontoadvancingmen’shealthinIreland:
“… the NMHPAP has made a significant and important contribution to making the issue of men’s
health more prominent and providing a framework for action.”(Baker,2015,p65)
Inordertobuilduponthissuccessandmomentum,theReviewrecommendedthedevelopmentofa
revisedandmorefocusedActionPlanformen’shealththatshouldmakeexplicitlinkstootherhealth
policyareas,andshouldclearlydemonstratehowaddressingmen’shealthwouldsupporttheeffective
implementationofHealthyIreland.
The rationale for maintaining a specific focus on men’s healthThereremainsapressingneedforacontinuedpolicyfocusonmen’shealth.Manyofthechallenges
identified for men in the NMHPAP 2008-2013 are still in evidence today. There continues to be
significantdifferencesinhealthoutcomes;notjustbetweenmenandwomen,butalsobetweendifferent
populationsofmen(seeAppendix5).Manymenhavestruggledtoadapttoandcopewithrapidsocietal
change,particularlywithmoredifficulttransitionsassociatedwitheconomicrecession.Althoughthe
rateofunemploymenthas,overall,beendecreasing76,highratesofunemploymentremainastarkreality
amongyoungmen87.Labourmarketvulnerabilityandlackofsecurityofjobtenure-particularlyamong
lowersocio-economicgroupsofmen-areincreasinglyassociatedwithsocialexclusionandadverse
healthoutcomes98.Forexample,ethnicminoritygroupsofmenareparticularlypronetolabourmarket
discrimination109.Accesstoaffordablehousinghasbecomeanissueforanincreasingpercentageofthe
population1110.Increasingdivorceratesandchangestofamilystructures1211poseparticularchallengesto
thosemenaffectedbysuchchange.Andyet,thereisincreasingevidenceofboys’andmen’scapacity
toadaptandcopewithchange.Forexample, theexponentialgrowth inMen’sSheds in Ireland is
indicativeofmoretypicallymarginalisedor isolatedmenbeingproactiveby joiningaShedtoseek
5BakerP.(2015).ReviewoftheNationalMen’sHealthPolicyandActionPlan2008-2013:FinalreportfortheHealthServiceExecutive.Availableat:http://pbmenshealth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ireland-Mens-Health-Policy-Review.Final-Full-Report.2015.pdf6Eurostathttp://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics7Eurostathttp://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics#Youth_unemployment_trends8TheInstituteofPublicHealthinIreland(2011).Facingthechallenge:Theimpactofrecessionandunemploymentonmen’shealthinIreland.www.publichealth.ie/document/facing-challenge-impact-recession-and-unemployment-mens-health-ireland9KingstonG.,McGinnityF.&O’ConnellP.J.(2013).DiscriminationintheIrishLabourMarket:Nationality,EthnicityandtheRecessionwww.ucd.ie/geary/static/publications/workingpapers/gearywp201323.pdf10NationalEconomicandSocial(2014).ReviewofIrishSocialandAffordableHousingProvision.PaperNo10http://files.nesc.ie/nesc_secretariat_papers/No_10_Review_of_Irish_Social_and_Affordable_Housing_Provision.pdf11CentralStatisticsOffice(2012).Profile5:HouseholdsandFamilieswww.cso.ie/en/census/census2011reports/census2011profile5householdsandfamilies-livingarrangementsinireland
solace, share skills, andwork towardsacommonpurpose1312. Therehasbeen increasingevidence
ofhighprofilemeninareassuchassportandentertainmentspeakingoutabouthealth issuesand
beingadvocatesforothermen.Thereisalsopromisingevidenceofseparated/divorcedfathersfinding
waystomaintainopenlinesofcommunicationwiththeirchildren.AccordingtothemostrecentHealth
BehavioursinSchool-agedChildren[HBSC]1413survey,between1998and2010,therewasastatistically
significantdecreaseinthepercentageof10-17yearoldboyswhoreportedcurrentlylivingwithboth
theirmotherandfather(91.6%in1998and73.7%in2010).Despitethis, therewas,overthesame
period,asignificant increaseinthepercentageofboyswhoreportedfindingit ‘easy’/’very easy’ to
talktotheirmother(70.9%-80.9%)andtotheirfather(54.3%-73.2%).Nevertheless,theseongoing
challengesfacedbymenareatimelyreminderoftheneedtomaintainapolicyspotlightonmenandto
recognisethesubstantivedifferencesinhealthneedsbetweendifferentcategoriesofmen.Indeed,the
NewPublicSectorEqualityandHumanRightsDuty1514 provides an important mandate for maintaining a
policyfocusonmenaffectedbymarginalisation(e.g.Travellermen,ethnicminoritymenorgaymen).
Evidence supporting gender-specific or ‘men-friendly’ approachesInthedesignanddeliveryofservicesandprogrammes,itiscruciallyimportanttoconsiderhowmen
activelyconstructbeliefs,attitudesandbehavioursthatcanimpactuponmanydifferentaspectsoftheir
health.SincepublicationoftheNMHPAP2008-2013,therehasbeenabreadthofevidencesupporting
andinformingtheneedforagender-specificapproachacrossadiverserangeoftopics,settingsand
targetmalepopulationgroups.Examplesofthisincludethepublicationofsignificantnationalresearch
reportsontopicssuchascancer1615andsuicidepreventioninyoungmen1716,1817;therolloutandevaluation
ofENGAGE1918 and other national men’s health training programmes2019,2120,;thedevelopmentoftoolkitsand
bestpracticeguidelinesonhowtoeffectivelyengagemen2221,2322;thedevelopmentanddisseminationof
healthinformationbookletstargetedatdifferentpopulationgroupsofmen2423,2524,2625;andthedevelopment
andco-ordinationofabroadrangeofhealthawarenessraisinginitiativesinconjunctionwithNational
Men’sHealthWeek2726 (SeeAppendix6 for a complete list of researchoutputs sincepublicationof
12WilsonN.J.&CordierR.(2013).AnarrativereviewofMen’sShedsliterature:reducingsocialisolationandpromotingmen’shealthandwellbeing.SocialCareintheCommunity21(5):451-463.13KellyC.,GavinA.,MolchoM.&NicGabhainnS.(2012).TheIrishHealthBehavioursinSchool-agedChildren(HBSC)study2010.Dublin:DepartmentofHealth.14EqualityandRightsAlliance(2015).NewPublicSectorEqualityandHumanRightsDuty:www.eracampaign.org/uploads/A%20New%20Public%20Sector%20Duty%20March%202015.pdf15ClarkeN.,SharpL.,O’LearyE.&RichardsonN.(2013).Anexaminationoftheexcessburdenofcancerinmen.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.16RichardsonN.,ClarkeN.&FowlerC.(2013).YoungMenandSuicideProject.AreportfromtheMen’sHealthForuminIreland.17GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2014).EngagingYoungMen:AreportcommissionedbytheNationalOfficeforSuicidePrevention.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.18RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,CarrollP.&LambeB.(2013).‘Engage’:NationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgrammeandResourcePack.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.19FowlerC.,RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,MurrayF.&CarrollP.(2015).‘ConnectingwithYoungMen’:EngagingYoungMenNationalTrainingProgrammeandResourcePack.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.20Men’sDevelopmentNetwork(2013).7KeyQuestionsTraining.21LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.&RobertsonS.(2015).Engagingmenaspartnersandparticipants:guidingprinciples,strategies,andperspectivesforcommunityinitiativesandholisticpartnerships.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.22McCarthyM.&RichardsonN.(2011).Bestpracticeapproachestotailoringlifestyleinterventionsforobesemenintheprimarycaresetting:Aresourcebookletforhealthcareprofessionalsworkingwithobesemenintheprimarycaresetting.CentreforMen’sHealth,ITCarlow.23RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2013)Stayingfitforfarming(ahealthbookletforfarmers).24AnPost(2011).MaleMinder(ahealthbookletforAnPoststaff).25CarrollP.(2011).‘Men’sHealthMatters’:Apracticalguidetohealthcareformen.CarlowCountyCouncil.26See:www.mhfi.org/mhw/about-mhw.html
6 7
theNMHPAP2008-2013).These,togetherwithanumberofongoingdevelopmentsinmen’shealth,
provideanimportantblueprintforevidence-basedandgender-sensitivepracticeinthefuture.Thefield
ofmen’shealthinIrelandis,therefore,stronglypositionedtosupporttheimplementationofkeyActions
inHealthyIrelandbyreachingmenthroughthisevidence-basedandgender-sensitivepractice.
Building on the momentum and key milestones achieved to dateAsthefirstcountryintheworldtopublishaNationalMen’sHealthPolicy[NMHP],Irelandhasledthe
way in theareaofmen’shealthandhasachievedsignificantmilestones todate.There isastrong
rationaleforretainingapolicyfocusonmen’shealth.Considerablemomentumhasbeengenerated;
particularlythroughthedevelopmentofevidence-basedandgender-sensitivepractice,strongworking
partnerships,andcapacitybuildingatcommunitylevel.ThecontinuationofaNMHPcanonlyserveto
buildonthismomentum:
‘The publication of NMHPs in Ireland and Australia represent a significant landmark in the
ongoing evolution of the field of men’s health. The policies provide a clear blueprint and an
unequivocal evidence base for tackling men’s health in each country… It can be concluded from
an Irish and Australian perspective, that having a NMHPAP advances the case for men’s health
in three important ways: (i) it provides a vision, identity and branding for men’s health within
the wider health policy framework; (ii) it provides a framework for action on men’s health and
points towards a more systematic approach to tackling key priorities identified for men’s health
in each country; and (iii) it provides an important resource for practitioners, policy makers and
advocates who wish to further advance men’s health work.’ 28(RichardsonandSmith,2011,p43127)
InordertobuilduponthesuccessandmomentumgainedthroughimplementationoftheNMHPAP2008-
2013,thisfollow-upNationalMen’sHealthActionPlan2017-2021hasbeendevelopedwithanexplicit
focusonsupportingtheimplementationofHealthyIreland[HI]andwill,hereafter,bereferredtoas
HI-M2017-2021.WhileitisincumbentontheHI-M2017-2021tosupporthealthbehaviourchangeand
topromotehealth-affirmingchangestomen’sattitudesandapproachtotheirhealth,itisfundamentally
importanttocontinuetocreatesupportiveenvironments, topromotegender-competentservices,to
expandpartnershipsandinter-sectoralengagement,andtostrengthencommunityactiontosupport
men’shealth.ThesametheoreticalandphilosophicalprinciplesthatunderpinnedthepreviousAction
Plancontinuetoprovideabasisfromwhichtomaintainthisagreedapproachtomen’shealthpolicy
implementationandfromwhichtoadvancemen’shealthinthefuture.
This Preamble (Part 1) has contextualised the impetus and background to men’s health policy
development in Ireland, thekeyfindingsfromtheNMHPAP2008-2013review,andtherationalefor
maintainingapolicyfocusonmen’shealth.Part2setsoutanewvisionandroadmapformen’shealth
27RichardsonN.&SmithJ.(2011).Nationalmen’shealthpoliciesinIrelandandAustralia:whatarethechallengesassociatedwithtransitioningfromdevelopmenttoimplementation.PublicHealth125(7):424-432.
intheyearsaheadintheformofHI-M2017-2021.Itrespondstotheclearrecommendationfromthe
NMHPAP 2008-2013Review for amore focusedAction Planwhich is aligned to the key thematic
areasofHealthyIreland.ThePlanworksintandemwithexistingstructuresandprogrammeswithinthe
HSE,andisdesignedtocontributetomoreeffectiveimplementationofprogrammesandservicesby
mainstreamingmen’shealthacrossabroadspectrumofpolicyareas.HI-M2017-2021comprisesfour
thematicareasandkeyactionsthatlinktoexistingpolicyareaswithinandbeyondthehealthsector.
ThecompositionofthegrouptaskedwiththedevelopmentofHI-M2017-2021isoutlinedinAppendix7.
9
Part2:NationalMen’sHealthActionPlanHealthyIreland-Men[HI-M]2017-2021
WithdueregardtotheHealthyIrelandPolicyFramework,thefourthemes(T)identifiedforactionunder
theHI-M2017-2021areasfollows:
T1: EstablishappropriategovernancestructuresthatarealignedwithHealthyIrelandto
overseetheimplementationofHI-M2017-2021.
T2: ContributetotheimplementationofthepriorityprogrammesforHealthyIreland-
healthyeatingandactiveliving,wellbeingandmentalhealth,positiveageing,
alcohol,tobaccofree,andhealthychildhood-withaparticularemphasison
addressinghealthinequalitiesbetweendifferentsub-populationsofmen.
T3: Buildcapacitywiththosewhoworkwithmenandboystoadoptagendercompetent
andmen-friendlyapproachtoengagingmenandboysatbothanindividualandan
organisationallevel.
T4: Ensurethatresearchcontinuestounderpinthedevelopmentofmen’shealthpractice
inIrelandandcontributestotheHealthyIrelandagenda.
TheseThemeshavebeen framedwithdue regard to the key health topics and themesunder the
FrameworkofActionshighlightedinHealthyIrelandandtheHSEpriorityareas.HI-M2017-2021will
continuetobuilduponthekeyNMHPAP2008-2013outputsachievedtodate(seeAppendix1).There
will alsocontinue tobeanexplicit focusongender-specificandmen-friendly strategies related to
communityengagement,capacitybuilding,partnershipandsustainability.
In keepingwith a key recommendation from theNMHPAP2008-2013Review, therewill also be a
specificfocusondove-tailingwithotherhealthpolicyareas.Figure1providesanoverviewofthelinks
betweenHealthy IrelandandHI-Mand the specificpointsof intersectionbetweenHI-Mandother
governmentdepartments,andbetweenHI-MandpriorityareasidentifiedwithinHealthyIreland.Men’s
health,therefore,willcontinuetobedefinedinsuchtermsas:nurturingpositivemasculinitiesamong
boys[DepartmentofEducationandSkills-DoES];promotingsafeandhealth-promotingworkpractices
amongfarmers[DepartmentofAgriculture,FoodandtheMarine-DAFM];usingtheworkplaceasa
settinginwhichtopromotemen’shealthandoptimalwork-lifebalanceformen[DepartmentofJobs,
EnterpriseandInnovation-DoJEI];andtacklingisolationanddisconnectionamongmoremarginalised
andlowerSocio-EconomicGroup(SEG)men[DepartmentofSocialProtection-DoSP].Thespecific
pointsofintersectionandoverlapbetweenHI-M2017-2021andexistingpolicyareoutlinedinAppendix
8.ThisisacriticallyimportantandcoreelementofHI-M-themainstreamingofmen’shealthacrossa
broadspectrumofpolicyareasandthecapacityofmen’shealthpolicytocontributetomoreeffective
implementationofotherpolicyareas.ItshouldbeacknowledgedthatHI-M2017-2021willcontinueto
10 11
provideagenderlenstoinformongoingandnewhealthandsocialpolicydevelopment,tocontribute
totheeffectivenessofnewpolicydevelopment,andtoensurethat thehealthneedsofmenwillbe
optimallymet.
Figure 1:HI-Masavehicleformainstreamingmen’shealthacrossabroadpolicyspectrum
t1 establish appropriate governance structures that are aligned with Healthy Ireland to oversee the implementation of HI-M 2017-2021
‘Governance andPolicy’ and ‘Monitoring,Reporting andEvaluation’ are among the key themes of
Healthy Ireland’s Framework of Actions. Building upon the successful governance structures that
underpinnedtheimplementationoftheNMHPAP2008-2013(seeAppendix1),andtakingaccountof
thecross-sectoralapproachofHI-M2017-2021,itisproposedtobroadenandextendthecomposition
of the existing National Men’s Health Policy Implementation Group. In keeping with current HSE
governancestructuresrelatedtotheImplementationPlanforHI,itisproposedtochangethestatusof
thisgrouptoaMen’sHealthActionPlanAdvisoryGroup.ThefollowingActionsareproposedinrelation
togovernancestructuresforHI-M2017-2021:
action lead agent Partners
1.1 DevelopanAnnualMen’sHealthBusinessPlanthat aligns to the Hse’s implementation Plan for Hi
Hse DoH,IPH,ICS,IHF,MHFI,MDN,NCMH,IMSA,NosP
1.2 appoint a National Men’s Health action PlanAdvisoryGroupthatincludesabroadrepresentationofstakeholdersalignedtotheprioritiesofHI,toadviseontheimplementationofHI-M2017-2021
Hse DoH,IPH,ICS,IHF,MHFI,MDN,NCMH,IMSA,NosP
1.3 appoint a men’s health representative on all priority programme committees in the Hse to ensuretheintegrationofmen’shealthpolicyonthese programmes
Hse IPH,ICS,IHF,MHFI,MDN,NCMH
1.4 ProduceanAnnualReportthatdocumentstheprogressoftheHI-M2017-2021implementationforsubmissiontotheDoHandtheHSEandtobepostedontheDoHwebsite
Hse DoH,NCMH
1.5 ProduceanAnnualMen’sHealthCommunicationsPlanthatdocumentsandprofileskeyactivitiesandoutputsinmen’shealth
Hse IPH,ICS,IHF,MHFI,MDN,NCMH,IMSA
1.6 HostaNationalMen’sHealthWebsitethatprovidesandmaintainsup-to-dateaccesstobothnationalandinternationalmen’shealthpublicationsandreports
MHFi NcMH
eXIStInG GOVernMent POlICIeS
HealtHy Ireland
HealtHy Ireland
HealtHy Ireland
eXIStInG GOVernMent
POlI
CIeS
Healthy Ireland - Men
Wellbeing and Mental Health
Healthy Childhood
alcohol
Positive ageing tobacco
Free
Healthy eating and
active living
12 13
t2 Contribute to the implementation of the priority programmes for Healthy Ireland - healthy eating and active living, wellbeing and mental health, positive ageing, alcohol, tobacco free, and healthy childhood - with a particular emphasis on reducing health inequalities between different sub-populations of men
AmongthekeygoalsofHealthyIreland’sOutcomesFrameworkare:‘increase the proportion of people
who are healthy at all stages of life’ and ‘reduce health inequalities’.TheActionsdefinedunderTheme2
aredesignedtoaddresskeylifestyleissues(physicalactivity,diet,alcoholconsumptionandsmoking)
andtopromotepositivementalhealthandwellbeing,byadoptingalifecourseapproachandhaving
aparticularfocusonthosesub-populationsofmenmostinneed:
action lead agent Partners
2.1 ImplementandevaluateMenontheMovetoincreasethe proportion of men who are physically active and to improvetheiroverallbiopsychosocialhealth
cHBR HSE,NCMH,Localsports Partnership Network,MDN,SI
2.2 SupportIMSAwiththeimplementationoftheQualityAssessmentandOutcomesFrameworkforMen’ssheds in ireland
iMsa HSE,NCMH
2.3 SupporttheGAAwiththeimplementationandongoingevaluationoftheHealthyClubsInitiative
GAA HSE,NCMH
2.4 Supporttheimplementationofthe‘ConnectingforLife’ImplementationPlanbydevelopingandimplementingnewinitiatives(e.g.withmiddle-agedmen)thatpromote positive mental health and resilience among at riskgroupsofmen
NOSP/HSE NCMH,MDN,MHFI
2.5 SupporttheHSE’sPlanforWellbeingandMentalHealthbycontinuingtoimplementandexpandexistinginitiatives(e.g.EngagingYoungMen,MojoProject,7KeyQuestions)topromotepositivementalhealthandresilienceamongatriskgroupsofmen
NOSP/HSE NCMH,MDN,MHFI
2.6 DevelopandimplementnewinitiativestargetedatengagingTravellermen,withaparticularfocusonmentalhealthandresiliencebuilding
Hse NOSP,MDN
2.7 SupporttheimplementationoftheMenandCancerReportrecommendationswithaparticularfocusoncancerandhealthliteracy(focusingonthecancerinformationneedsofmenover40yearsofageandfromlowersocio-economicgroups)
ICS/HSE NcMH
2.8 ImplementtheFarmersHaveHeartsevaluationrecommendationsinthefutureroll-outofcardiovascularriskscreeningtargetedatmen
IHF/HSE NcMH
2.9 SupportthosetaskedwithimplementingtheNationalSexualHealthStrategyandSPHEinschools,withaparticularfocusonpromotingincreasedself-awarenessandemotionalintelligenceamongboysandyoungmen
HSE/DoES MDN,CHBR
2.10 Contributetothedevelopmentofthe‘HealthyWorkplaceFramework’andsupporttheimplementationofworkplacehealthpromotioninitiativeswithaparticularfocusonmen
HSE/DoH NcMH
t3 Build capacity with those who work with men and boys to adopt a gender competent approach to engaging men and boys at both an individual and an organisational level
HealthyIrelandcallsformoreeffectivewaystoempowerpeopleandcommunitiestoimproveandtake
responsibility for theirownhealth.Menareoftendeemedtobe ‘the problem’,or ‘hard to reach’ by
serviceprovidersand,asaresult,manymenmaybereticenttoaccesshealthservices.Historically,
menhavenotcommonlymobilisedaroundhealthissues(inthesamewaythatothergroupshave),often
makingitchallengingformentoarticulatetheirhealthneeds.Thus,betterapproachestomeaningfully
addressing men’s health are increasingly being called for that support practitioners to effectively
engagewithmenandthatpromotemen’sgreateruseofservices.
action lead agent Partners
3.1 DeliverENGAGEtraining-viatheENGAGETrainers’network-tofrontlineserviceproviders(includingtheup-skillingofTrainerstodeliverUnits1-5asstand-aloneUnits)
MDN HSE,NCMH,MHFI
3.2 ExpandthenumberofENGAGEUnit6TrainersandcontinuetosupportexistingTrainerstodelivertheprogramme to frontline service providers
MHFi HSE,MDN,NCMH
3.3 Delivertrainingtofrontlineserviceproviderswithinthecommunityandvoluntarysectorstoengagemoreeffectivelywithmarginalisedgroupsofmen
MDN MHFi
3.4 SupporttheHSE’splanfortacklinghealthinequalitiesbyprioritisingthosesub-populationsofmenmostinneedthroughtheimplementationofHI-M2017-2021
Hse MDN
3.5 SupporttheimplementationoftheNationalGenderMainstreaming(GM)Framework
Hse MDN,MHFI,NCMH
3.6 Co-ordinateMen’sHealthWeek(MHW)annuallyandexpandtheMHWpartnershipnetworkestablishedtodate
MHFi HSE,MDN
3.7 ContributetotheimplementationofGoal6oftheNationalFarmSafetyPartnershipActionPlan(2016-2018)topromoteimprovedhealthandwellbeingamongthefarmingcommunity
NcMH Hse
3.8 Developatrainingprogrammetosupportthoseintheyouthsectortofacilitatethedevelopmentofself-awarenessandemotionalintelligenceamongyoungmen
NYCI/CHBR MHFi
14 15
T4 Ensure that research continues to underpin the development of men’s health practice in Ireland and contributes to the HI agenda
AmongthekeythemesidentifiedintheHealthyIrelandFrameworkare‘research and evidence’ and the
need for ‘robust evidence to continually inform practice’.TheNMHPAP2008-2013Reviewhighlighted
research,andtheknowledgetransferofresearchintopractice,asakeysuccess(seeAppendix4).It
isimperativethatresearchandevaluationcontinuetounderpinmen’shealthwork.
action lead agent Partners
4.1 ProvideresearchsupporttopriorityprogrammesintheHSEtoensurethatallmen’shealthworkcontinuestobeunderpinnedbyempirical evidence
NCMH/CHBR Hse
4.2 Supportpractitionerswiththeevaluationofmen’shealthprojectsandprogrammesinaccordancewithbestpractice
Hse NcMH
4.3 Ensurethatknowledgetransferviatraining,trainingmaterialsandresources,toolkits,presentations,reportsandacademicpapers,informsfuturepracticeintheareaofmen’shealth
Hse NcMH
4.4 Expandpost-graduateresearchinmen’shealthtodevelopevidenceunderpinningbestpracticeandtocontributetotheknowledgebaseinthisfield
Hse NCMH,CHBR,Wider 3rd level sector
appendix 1Key nMHPaP 2008-2013 milestones in the context of the Healthy Ireland policy framework
HI theme Key nMHPaP Milestones
1. Governance i. NationalImplementationSteeringGroupinplace(co-chairedbytheHSE andtheDepartmentofHealth)withmeetingsquarterlyii. ExplicitlinkstoGenderMainstreamingFrameworkiii. Annualprogressreportscompleted2009-2013iv. Explicitfocusonevaluationwithregardtomen’shealthprogrammesv. Externalreviewpublished
2. Partnerships andcross-sectoralwork
i. Keyimplementationstakeholders:HSE,MDN,MHFI,NCMH,CHBRii. Keyalliancesandpartnershipsestablished: NOSP,IrishCancerSociety,IrishHeartFoundation,InstituteofPublicHealth,GAAiii. Men’shealthembeddedinarangeofcross-sectoralwork: suicideprevention,GAAHealthyClubProject,NationalFarmSafetyPartnership, gendermainstreaming,obesity,physicalactivity,SPHE(schools), workplace,communitysectoriv. Internationalleaderwithstronginternationallinks
3. empowering people and communities
i. Men’sHealthWeek,co-ordinatedandevaluatedbyMHFI,isnowfirmly establishedasanannualandprominenteventandadoptsacross-sectoral, all-islandapproachii. Men’shealthisembeddedinanumberofworkplacesettings.Examples include:Safefood(‘TruckDrivers’),HSE/IHF(‘FarmersHaveHearts’), AnPost(‘MaleMinder’)iii. Stronglinkstocommunitysector: •Men’sDevelopmentNetworkadoptsaleadroleatnationalleveland hasdevelopedarangeofresources •Men’sSheds-over300shedsnowestablished;QualityAssuranceand OutcomesFrameworkbeingdevelopedforSheds •LarkinCentre’sMen’sHealthandWellbeingProgramme-Toolkit published2015 •MenontheMovephysicalactivityprogramme-runinpartnershipwith 8countysportspartnerships •CarlowMen’sHealthProject-arangeofresourcespublished
4. Health and health reform
Men’shealthtraining:i. ENGAGE(NationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgramme)developedanddelivered toarangeofhealthprofessionals(GPs,Nurses,communityworkersetc.); trainingresourcepackcompleted;threeTraintheTrainerprogrammes delivered[n=57TrainersthroughoutIreland];62trainingdaysdeliveredby Trainersto810serviceproviders;processandoutcomeevaluationreports completedii. ConnectingwithYoungMen(nationaltrainingprogrammefocusedonyoung menandmentalhealth)developed;trainingresourcepackcompleted; TraintheTrainerprogrammedeliveredto17Trainers;roll-outoftrainingfrom Autumn2015;processandoutcomeevaluationreportscompletediii. 7KeyQuestions(nationaltrainingprogrammetargetingcommunitysector) ongoingdeliverybyMDN;trainingresourcepackcompleted
5. Research and evidence
Men’shealthworkunderpinnedbyastrongevidencebase:i. Arangeofsignificantmen’shealthreportspublishedii. NCMHacontributingcentretothefirstStateofMen’sHealthinEuropereportiii. Arangeofpeer-reviewedandnon-peerreviewedpublicationspublishediv. Extensivenumberofconferencepresentationsgiven
6. Monitoring,reporting and evaluation
i. NMHPrelatedfundingconditionalonmonitoringandtrackingoutputsandkey deliverablesii. Focusontranslatingresearchintopractice-anumberofeffective practiceguidelinesandtoolkitshavebeendevelopediii. Arangeofevaluationreportsproduced
16 17
department of agriculturearea: FarmSafety-Farmers’Health
Partners:TeagascandtheHealthandSafetyAuthority
HI-M 2017-2021
dePartMent OF aGrICulture
dePartMent OF JOBS,
enterPrISe & InnOVatIOn
dePartMent OF SOCIal
PrOteCtIOn
dePartMent OF eduCatIOn and SKIllS
department of Jobs, enterprise & Innovationarea: Jobs,WorkplaceandSkills-WorkplaceHealthand safety
Partners:HealthandSafetyAuthorityandHealthPromotionandImprovement,WellbeingDivision,HSE
department of Social Protectionall areas: JobSeekers,Employersand
Employment,ChildrenandFamilies,Carers,DisabilityandIllness,RetiredandOlderPeople,Bereavement,othersupports,
SupplementaryWelfareAllowance,movingtoandfromIreland,RedundancyandInsolvency
Partner:HealthPromotionandImprovement,WellbeingDivision,HSE
department of education and Skillsarea: NationalCouncilforCurriculumandAssessment,EducationalServicesforTeachers
Partner: HealthPromotionandImprovement,WellbeingDivision,HSE
Figure 2:Overviewofthepotentialcross-sectoralimpactofHI-M2017-2021
Appendix2Potential cross-sectoral impact of HI-M 2017-2021
Farm Safety is identified within the Department of Agriculture as one of the core functions under
theCustomerServicestrategicarea.Farmers’health isacoreelementof theNationalFarmSafety
Partnership’sFarmSafetyActionPlan.TeagascandtheHealthandSafetyAuthority[HSA]playakey
roleintheimplementationofthisPlan.Inlightofrecentfindingsregardingthehealthoffarmers 28,HI-M
2017-2021cansupporttheworkoftheFarmSafetyPartnership(alongwithotherpartnerssuchasthe
IrishHeartFoundation)tocontinuetoworktogethertoimprovethehealthoffarmersinIreland.
WithintheDepartmentofJobs,Enterprise&Innovation[DoJEI],‘WorkplaceHealthandSafety’isan
areaforactionunderthestrategicarea‘Jobs,WorkplaceandSkills’.TheHealthandSafetyAuthority
isresponsiblefortheadministrationofworkplacehealthandsafetyadministrationlawinIrelandand,
assuch,isakeypartnerinthepromotionofmen’shealthintheworkplace.HI-M2017-2021canplaya
keyroleinsupportingtheHSAandmorebroadlytheDoJEIinachievingitsobjectiveswithrespectto
improvingtheworkingenvironmenttopromotethehealthandwellbeingofmen.Inaddition,giventhe
significanceofemploymenttoaman’shealth,theroleoftheDoJEIintheareaofeducationandskills
developmenttoensuretheprofessionaldevelopmentand,therefore,employabilityofmeniscriticalto
thehealthandwellbeingofmeninIreland.HI-M2017-2021cansupporttheDoJEItoengagemenfor
thispurposeandtoensurethatthedeliveryofsucheducationandtrainingisgendersensitive.Finally,
theNMHPAP2008-2013identifiedtheworkplaceasakeysettinginwhichtopromotemen’shealth,
andthisremainsapriorityforHI-M2017-2021.
Incomeandsocialcapitalarekeydeterminantsofhealth.Throughthenumerousbenefitschemesand
backtoeducationandtraining initiativesoffered(bothcommunityandeducationsettingbased)by
theDepartmentofSocialProtection[DoSP],manymenaresupportedtoreturntoeducation,training
and/oremployment,tocontributetotheircommunities,andtofinanciallysupportthemselvesandtheir
families.Allofthesemechanismsdirectlyandindirectlypositivelyimpactuponthehealthandlivesof
meninIreland.HI-M2017-2021cansupporttheeffortsoftheDoSPtoengagethosemenmostinneed
oftheinitiativesoffered.Inparticular,HI-M2017-2021cancontinuetotrainthoseworkingwithmenin
communitiesandinfrontlineservicestoensurethatservicesandtraining/educationofferedaregender
sensitive.
Thehealthofmen is strongly influencedbybehaviours inboyhood.Therehavebeencalls froma
varietyofsectorsforearlyyearsinterventionsthatsupportthedevelopmentofpositivehealthpractices
and,inparticular,thedevelopmentofpositivemasculinitiesandemotional intelligenceamongboys
andyoungmen.TheDepartmentofEducationandSkills[DoES]hasacrucialroletoplayinthisregard.
Inparticular,teachersandthosewhoworkwithyoungmeninoutofschoolsettingsrequiresupportto
deliverSocial,PersonalandHealthEducation[SPHE]effectivelytoboysandyoungmen.Itiscrucially
28VanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2015).FarmersHaveHeartsEvaluation:AreportcommissionedbytheIrishHeartFoundation.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
18 19
appendix 3Impetus and background to policy development
TheimpetusfordevelopingtheNMHPAP2008-2013wasrootedinconcernsaboutdisparitiesinhealth
outcomesbetweenmenandwomenandbetweendifferentpopulationsofmen,anincreasedawareness
oftheneedforamoregender-specificapproachtohealthpolicy,aswellasanexpandinggrass-roots
men’shealthfieldinIreland.TheNMHPAP2008-2013wasdevelopedfollowinganextensiveresearch
andconsultationprocess(Figure3).Theneedforaspecificpolicyfocusonmen’shealthwasidentified
inIreland’sNationalHealthStrategyin2001129.ThispromptedtheDepartmentofHealthandChildren
to funda threeyearmen’shealth researchproject (‘Getting InsideMen’sHealth’230), thefindingsof
whichwerelaunchedatthefirstNationalConferenceonmen’shealthinIrelandwhichtookplacein
December2004.Aninter-departmentalandmulti-sectoralSteeringGroupwasappointedtooversee
thedevelopmentoftheNMHPAP2008-2013.UnderthetermsofreferenceoftheSteeringGroup,an
extensive and nationwide consultation processwas undertakenwith all relevant stakeholders. The
findingsfromthisconsultationprocess,togetherwithanextensivereviewoftheevidenceunderpinning
the issues raised, were then translated into concrete policy recommendations and actions which
addressedabroadrangeofmen’shealthissuesacrossanumberofgovernmentdepartments331,432.
Whilstthecaseforapolicyfocusonmen’shealthwasmultifaceted,clearly,theimpetusandmandate
formen’shealthpolicyactioninIrelandwasembeddedinsexdifferencesinhealthstatusbetweenmen
andwomen(lifeexpectancy,mortalityetc.).However,theNMHPAP2008-2013wasalsogroundedin:
(i)anacknowledgmentofdiversitywithinthecategorymen‘with due regard, in particular, to the social
determinants of men’s health’;(ii)anexplicitrecognitionoftheneedforagenderedapproachtomen’s
health;and(iii)awidergrass-rootsdevelopmentwithinmen’shealthwhichcontributeda‘bottomup’
aswellasa‘topdown’approachtopolicydevelopment.Itwaswithinthisbroaddeterminantsofhealth
context,andwithdueregardto thegenderednatureofmen’shealth, thatamalehealth issuewas
definedintheNMHPAP2008-2013as:
‘…any issue that can be seen to impact on men’s quality of life and for which there is a need for
gender-competent responses to enable men to achieve optimal health and wellbeing at both an
individual and a population level’. (DepartmentofHealthandChildren,2009,p17533)
29DepartmentofHealthandChildren(2001).HealthStrategy-QualityandFairness.AHealthSystemforYou.DepartmentofHealthandChildren,HawkinsHouse,Dublin.30RichardsonN.(2004).GettingInsideMen’sHealth.HealthPromotionDepartment,SouthEasternHealthBoard,Kilkenny.31DepartmentofHealthandChildren(2009).NationalMen’sHealthPolicyReferenceDocument.Availableat:http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/reference_document.pdf32RichardsonN.&CarrollP(2009).Gettingmen’shealthontoapolicyagenda-chartingthedevelopmentofanationalmen’shealthpolicyinIreland.JournalofMen’sHealth:Vol6,No2;105-113.33DepartmentofHealthandChildren(2009).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy:WorkingwithmeninIrelandtoachieveoptimumhealthandwellbeing.HawkinsHouse,Dublin.
importantthatboys’uptakeofSPHEandPhysicalEducation[PE]asshortcoursesatJuniorCycleis
carefullymonitoredtoensurethatyoungmenareavailingofthesecoursesand,consequently,being
equippedwith the life skills these courses providewhile at school. It is equally important that the
DoESworkscloselywiththeNationalCouncilforCurriculumandAssessment[NCCA]andappliesa
genderlenstoitsreviewoftheJuniorCyclereformtoensurethatthelearningneedsofboysarebeing
metbythereformedJuniorCycle.HI-M2017-2021providesamechanismtosupporttheup-skilling
of teachers todeliverSPHEeffectively toboysandalso toapplyagender lens toeducationaland
curriculumrelatedreviews.
20 21
Inkeepingwiththeapproachofdefiningmen’shealthinbroadterms,anumberofkeytheoreticaland
philosophicalprinciplesinformedthedevelopmentoftheNMHPAP2008-2013.Thesesameprinciples
remainvalidforthenewMen’sHealthActionPlan.TheNMHPAP2008-2013:
• wasfirmlypositionedwithinexistinggovernmentpolicy(inter-sectoral/inter-departmental)
andinvestedinanextensiveconsultationprocesstodevelopstrongpartnershipswithexisting
policyacrossanumberofgovernmentdepartments;
• placedafirmfocusonthegenderednatureofkeymen’shealthissues(e.g.alcohol,obesity,
mentalhealth,accesstoservices)andpromotedmen’shealthwithinamainstreamedequality
agendawithagenderfocus;
• adoptedasocialdeterminantsapproach;
• targetedinterventionsatbothanindividualandapopulationlevel;
• incorporatedacommunitydevelopmentapproach;
• focusedonpreventionaswellascure;
• adoptedastrengthsperspective;
• soughttosupportmentobecomemoreactiveagentsandadvocatesfortheirownhealth.
Figure 3:Keystepsintheevolution,developmentandimplementationofIreland’sNMHPAP2008-2013(seeRichardsonandCarroll,2009634;RichardsonandSmith,2011735)
In terms of implementation, a National Men’s Health Policy Implementation Group (NMHPIG) had
responsibilityforoverseeingtheimplementationoftheNMHPAP2008-2013.MembersoftheNMHPIG
werealsorepresentedonaNationalGenderMainstreamingFramework836.Anindependentevaluation
ofthepolicywaspublishedinApril2015(Baker,2015937).
34RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2009).Gettingmen’shealthontoapolicyagenda-chartingthedevelopmentofanationalmen’shealthpolicyinIreland.JournalofMen’sHealth:Vol6,No2;105-113.35RichardsonN.&SmithJ.(2011).Nationalmen’shealthpoliciesinIrelandandAustralia:whatarethechallengesassociatedwithtransitioningfromdevelopmenttoimplementation.PublicHealth125(7):424-432.36HealthServiceExecutive(2012).Equalbutdifferent:AframeworkforintegratinggenderequalityinHealthServiceExecutivePolicy,PlanningandServiceDelivery.NationalWomen’sCouncil.37BakerP.(2015).ReviewoftheNationalMen’sHealthPolicyandActionPlan2008-2013:FinalreportfortheHealthServiceExecutive.Availableat:http://pbmenshealth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ireland-Mens-Health-Policy-Review.Final-Full-Report.2015.pdf
appendix 4National Men’s Health Policy Review
approach takenthe Review138adoptedapragmaticapproachwiththeaimofprovidinganaccessibleandpractical
assessmentoftheNMHPAP2008-2013.Themethodologymainlycomprisedanationalandinternational
literature review, in-depthone-to-one interviewswith30keystakeholders,aqualitative focusgroup
(withmenatacommunitycentreinDublin),andanonlinesurveyofkeyrespondents(whichgenerated
over180responses).
Principal Findings of the reviewTheReviewconcludedthat,overall,theNMHPAP2008-2013hadmadeasignificantcontributionto
advancingmen’shealthinIreland.Specifically,theReviewhighlightedsignificantprogressinrelation
tofouroftheNMHPAP2008-2013’sstrategicaims:
• Promotinganincreasedfocusonmen’shealthresearchinIreland.
• Developinghealthpromotioninitiativesthatsupportmentoadoptpositivehealthbehaviours
andtoincreasecontrolovertheirlives.
• Buildingsocialcapitalwithincommunitiesformen.
• Thedevelopmentanddeliveryofmen’shealthtrainingforhealthandotherprofessionals.
The Review also paid tribute to the significant progress that had been achieved in developing
sustainable alliances andpartnerships in the area ofmen’s health, involving statutory, community/
voluntaryandacademicsectors.
The number and scope of the specific policy recommendations and actions were also critically
reviewed and adjudged to have been too extensive to have been achieved in the timeframe set.
However, the limited resourcesavailable for implementationof theNMHPAP2008-2013, in light of
theunprecedentedeconomic recession in Irelandat the timeof its launch,werealsoasignificant
impedimenttoitsimplementation.
38BakerP.(2015).ReviewoftheNationalMen’sHealthPolicyandActionPlan2008-2013.FinalreportfortheHealthServiceExecutive.Availableat:www.mhfi.org/policyreview2015.pdf
2001: national Health StrategyMandate for men’s health policy development
Jan 2002 - dec 2004: researchSpecificallycommissionedmen’shealthreport‘GettingInsideMen’sHealth’
Jan 2005 - dec 2008: Policy development• Nationwideconsultation• Reviewofevidence• Bilateralmeetings
Jan 2009: Publication of the nMHPaP 2008-2013
Jan 2009 - dec 2013: Implementation and evaluation• NationalMen’sHealthPolicyImplementationGroup• IndependentReviewpublishedApril2015• Publicationof‘HealthyIreland-Men’[HI-M2017-2021]2016
22 23
Inlightofitsachievements,theReviewfoundverystrongsupportforthecontinuationofadedicated
nationalpolicyonmen’shealth.Therewasafearthat,withoutthis,themomentumandtractionthathad
beenachievedthroughtheNMHPAP2008-2013wouldbelost:
‘Crucially, Ireland’s NMHP has provided a vision and a framework for action that has enabled
men’s health to gain traction and to develop momentum that would otherwise not have been
possible. Men’s health is now more visible and occupies a more prominent place in public
discourse. Its legacy will ultimately be judged as much by its broader interface with other policy
areas as by its success in relation to specific policy recommendations or actions.’
(Richardson,2013,p101239)
MostReviewparticipantstooktheviewthatmen’shealthought,inthefuture,tobeaddressedwithin
thegovernanceandimplementationstructuresoftheHealthyIrelandpolicyframework.Indeed,Review
participants noted that this could happen seamlessly on the basis that the Healthy Ireland policy
frameworkwasseenashighlyconsistentwiththeprinciplesandapproachtakentotheimplementation
oftheNMHPAP2008-2013.
Specifically, the NMHPAP 2008-2013 adopted a governance structure in accordance with good
practice (i.e. the NMHPIG) and progress wasmonitored internally and externally in a transparent
manner-throughthedevelopmentofannualreportsandcommissioningoftheReview340.
Partnershipsandcross-sectoralworkunderpinnedtheapproachtoimplementingtheNMHPAP2008-
2013atalllevels.Keyalliancesandpartnershipswereestablishedwitharangeofstakeholdersthat
included,butwasnotlimitedto,theHSE,Men’sDevelopmentNetwork[MDN],IrishCancerSociety
[ICS],IrishHeartFoundation[IHF],InstituteofPublicHealth[IPH],ITCarlow[ITC],WaterfordIT[WIT],
NationalOfficeforSuicidePrevention[NOSP]andtheMen’sHealthForuminIreland[MHFI].Through
these partnerships, men’s health has become embedded in a range of cross-sectoral work that
includesareassuchassuicideprevention,obesity,physicalactivityandSocialPersonalandHealth
Education[SPHE].Indeed,Irelandhasbecomealeaderinthefieldofmen’shealthpolicy,withstrong
internationallinksthatfurthersupporttheimplementationofworknationally.
39RichardsonN.(2013).BuildingMomentum,GainingTraction:Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthPolicy-5yearson.NewMaleStudies2(3):93-103.40TheReview(2015)isavailableonlineat:www.mhfi.org/policyreview2015.pdf
Empoweringpeopleandcommunitiesiscoretomen’shealthpolicyinIrelandandisevidencedbya
rangeofinitiativesembeddedatnationallevel,withinworkplacesandacrossthecommunitysettinginparticular.Theseinclude:
• ThecelebrationofNationalMen’sHealthWeekannuallyviaanextensivepartnershipledbytheMHFi441;
• MenontheMove-acommunitybasedphysicalactivityprogrammethatintegratesmultiplelocalservicesledbytheLocalSportsPartnerships[LSP]542;
• DevelopmentofMen’sShedsnationally(n=300)thatareco-ordinatedbytheIrishMen’sShedsassociation643;and
• ExtensiveworkconductedandresourcesdevelopedbytheMDNaspartoftheirnationalbriefoncommunitydevelopmentformeninIreland744.
Traininghasbeenkeytoinitiatinghealthandhealthreform.ENGAGE(NationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgramme)845,946wasdevelopedtoincreasegendercompetencyamongthoseworkingwithmenandboysacrossavarietyof sectors. It consistsof sixUnits thataredeliveredas twodistinctonedaytrainingprogrammes[Units1-5;Unit6-ConnectingwithYoungMen].Fivepartners,withaviewtostandardisingmen’shealthtrainingacrosstheislandofIreland,developedtheseprogrammes.TheMDNhasalsodevelopedanational trainingprogramme[‘7KeyQuestions’1047]specifically for those
workingwithmenandboysinthecommunitysector.
TheReviewhighlightedthesignificantprogressmadeinrelationtoresearchandevidenceinthefieldofmen’shealthinIreland.TheestablishmentoftheNationalCentreforMen’sHealth[NCMH]atITCand itspartnershipwith theCentre forHealthBehaviourResearch [CHBR]atWIThassignificantlycontributedtothevolumeofresearchandthegenerationofevidencethatranparallelwithmanyoftheinitiativesarisingfromtheimplementationoftheNMHPAP2008-2013.Sinceitspublication,arangeof men’s health reports1148,1249,1350,peer reviewed1451,1552,1653,1754and non-peer reviewed papers have beenpublished, andan extensive number of conferencepresentations havebeengivenboth nationallyand internationally (see Appendix 6 for a complete list of research outputs, including conference
presentations).
41Seewww.mhfi.org/mhw/about-mhw.html42CanavanL.(2013).MenontheMoveActivityProgramme-EvaluationReport.Availableat:www.mayosports.ie/media/Media,20875,en.pdf43Seewww.menssheds.ie44Seewww.mens-network.net45RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2013).‘Engage’:NationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgrammeandResourcePack.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.46FowlerC.,RichardsonN.,CarrollP.,BrennanL.&MurrayF.(2015).ConnectingwithYoungMen:EngagingYoungMenNationalTrainingProgrammeandResourcePack.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.47Men’sDevelopmentNetwork.7Questionstraining:www.mensdevelopmentnetwork.ie48WhiteA.,deSousaB.,DeVisserR.,MadsenS.A.,MakaraP.,RichardsonN.&ZatonskiW.(2011).Thefirststateofmen’shealthinEuropereport.EuropeanUnion,Brussels.49RichardsonN.,ClarkeN.&FowlerC.(2013).YoungMenandSuicideProject.AreportfromtheMen’sHealthForuminIreland.50GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2015).EngagingYoungMenProject.AreportonthemappingexerciseconductedinIrelandin2014.Dublin:Men’sHealthForuminIreland.Availableat:www.mhfi.org/EYMPmappingreport.pdf51CarrollP.,KirwanL.&LambeB.(2014).Engaging‘hardtoreach’menincommunitybasedhealthpromotion.InternationalJournalofHealthPromotionandEducation,52(3):120-130.52KirwanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2013).Aninvestigationintothepartnershipprocessofcommunitybasedhealthpromotionformen.InternationalJournalofHealthPromotionandEducation51(2):108-120.53RichardsonN.&CarrollP.GettingMen’sHealthontoaPolicyAgenda-ChartingtheDevelopmentofaNationalMen’sHealthPolicyinIreland.JournalofMen’sHealth,6(2):105-13.2009.54LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.AprocessevaluationofaTrainingofTrainers(ToT)modelofhealthtraininginIreland.HealthPromotionInternational[underreview].
24 25
AllfundingrelatingtotheNMHPAP2008-2013wasconditionaloncarefulmonitoring,reportingand
evaluation.Inparticular,therewasastrongfocusontranslatingresearchevidenceintopracticeand,
tothatend,anumberofeffectivepracticeguidelines1855,toolkits1956andhealthinformationbooklets2057,2158,2259
have been developed and a range of evaluation reports produced. All of these have beenmade
freelyavailableandhavebeenintegratedintoENGAGEtraining.Appendix1providesamoredetailed
overviewofhowtheNMHPAP2008-2013isalignedwiththeHealthyIrelandpolicyframework.
TheReviewrecommendedthatthereshouldbeacontinueddedicatednationalfocusonmen’shealth
in Ireland toensure that themomentumand traction thathasbeenachieved through theNMHPAP
2008-2013isnotlost.TheReviewalsorecommendedthedevelopmentofarevisedandmorefocused
ActionPlanformen’shealth thatshouldmakeexplicit linkstootherhealthpolicyareasandshould
clearly demonstrate how addressing men’s health would support the effective implementation of
HealthyIreland:
‘Ireland was the first country to adopt a distinct national men’s health policy. It now has an
opportunity to continue its leadership in this field by being the first to mainstream men’s health
throughout the comprehensive approach to improving public health embodied in Healthy
Ireland.’ (Baker,2015,p8)
55CarrollP.,KirwanL.&LambeB.(2013).CommunityBasedHealthPromotionforMen:AGuideforPractitioners.Waterford:CentreforHealthBehaviourResearch,WaterfordInstituteofTechnology.Availableat:www.researchgate.net/publication/260479595_Community_Based_Health_Promotion_for_Men._A_Guide_for_Practitioners 56McCarthyM.&RichardsonN.(2011).Bestpracticeapproachestotailoringlifestyleinterventionsforobesemenintheprimarycaresetting:AresourcebookletforhealthcareprofessionalsworkingwithobesemeninthePrimaryCareSetting.CentreforMen’sHealth,ITCarlow.57CarrollP.(2013).Men’sHealthMatters.APracticalGuidetoHealthcareforMen.CarlowCountyCouncil.58RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2013).Stayingfitforfarming(Ahealthbookletforfarmers).AnPost(2011).MaleMinder(AhealthbookletforAnPoststaff).59AnPost(2011).MaleMinder(AhealthbookletforAnPoststaff).
Appendix5The rationale for maintaining a specific focus on men’s health
Sex differences in life expectancy and mortalityAlthoughmalelifeexpectancyinIrelandhasincreasedbyalmostthreeyearssince2003,andthegap
betweenmaleandfemalelifeexpectancyhasnarrowedoverthesameperiod,malelifeexpectancy
remainsfourandhalfyearslowerthanfemalelifeexpectancy(78.7and83.2respectively),andmen
inIrelandcontinuetohavehigherdeathratesformostoftheleadingcausesofdeath(Table1)andat
allages(Table2)160,261.
table 1: Mortalitybycauseofdeath2012362
number of deaths deaths per 100,000
Cause of death Men Women Men Women Male:Female ratio
Circulatory diseases
4,656 4,611 205 199 1.0:1
Malignant neoplasms
4,577 3,967 202 171 1.2:1
accidents 633 323 28 14 2.0:1
Suicide 413 94 18 4 4.5:1
table 2: Mortalitybycauseofdeath2012463
age Group Males Females Male:Female ratio
0-4 87 75 1.2:1
5-14 10 9 1.1:1
15-24 68 22 3.1:1
25-64 275 167 1.6:1
65-74 1,934 1,177 1.6:1
75 and over 8,318 7,127 1.2:1
60DepartmentofHealth(2014).HealthinIreland.Keytrends.DepartmentofHealth,Dublin2.Availableat:http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JD605-DHC_Key-Trends_2014WEB_03.12.14.pdf61CentralStatisticsOffice(2014).MenandWomeninIrelandReport.Availableat:www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-wamii/womenandmeninireland201362CentralStatisticsOffice(Accessed2016).VitalStatisticsAnnuals.Dublin:CentralStatisticsOffice.Availableat:www.cso.ie63CentralStatisticsOffice(Accessed2016).VitalStatisticsAnnuals.Dublin:CentralStatisticsOffice.Availableat:www.cso.ie
26 27
Inparticular,suicideisanissuethatcontinuestobeaparticularconcernamongmen,withmenbeing
4.5timesmorelikelytodiebysuicidethantheirfemalecounterparts164-whichisthelargestsexmortality
ratio(seeTable2).
Weknowthatthebroadersocialdeterminantssignificantlyinfluencemen’shealthoutcomes265 as well as
howtheyengagewiththeirhealthandmanagethemselveswithinhealthandsocialservices.Against
thisbackdrop,evidencesuggeststhatunderpinningmen’shighermortalityratesforchronicdiseases
arepoorerlifestylebehaviours.TherecentHealthyIrelandsurvey366highlightscontinueddisparitiesin
lifestylebehavioursbetweenmenandwomen:
• Overallalcoholconsumptionandfrequencyofbingedrinkingishigherinmenthaninwomen.
• Althoughsmokingratesaredeclining,moremensmoke(24%)thanwomen(21%).
• Theproportionofmenwhoareoverweight(43%)andobese(25%) ishigherthanforwomen
(31%and22%respectively).
• Men’sdietsarelesshealthythanwomen’sdiets.
• Onamorepositivenote,menaremuchmorelikelytobephysicallyactivethanwomen.
the Men and cancer Report467attributedpoorlifestylebehavioursastheprincipalcauseofwhymen
areatgreaterriskofgettingcancer,dyingfromcancer,andhavingsignificantlylowersurvivalthan
women (Figure 4). The report highlighted the urgent need for more targeted and gender-specific
lifestyleinterventionsthattargetthosesub-populationsofmenmostatrisk.Risktakingbehavioursmay
alsobeacontributingfactortofatalaccidents;themortalityrateformenfromaccidentsistwicethatof
women568,whilstapproximatelyfouroutoffivefatalitiesfromroadaccidentsaremale669.
64CentralStatisticsOffice(2016).VitalStatisticsAnnuals.Dublin:CentralStatisticsOffice.Availableat:www.cso.ie65LayteR.,BanksJ.,WalshC.&McKnightG.(2014).Trendsinsocio-economicinequalitiesinmortalitybysexinIrelandfromthe1980stothe2000s.IrJMedSci66DepartmentofHealth(2015).HealthyIrelandSurvey2015:http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Healthy-Ireland-Survey-2015-Summary-of-Findings.pdf67ClarkeN.,SharpL.,O’LearyE.&RichardsonN.(2013).Anexaminationoftheexcessburdenofcancerinmen.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow68CSO(2014).MenandWomeninIrelandReport.Availableat:www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-wamii/womenandmeninireland2013/healthlist/health/#d.en.6511769See:www.rsa.ie/RSA/Road-Safety/Our-Research/Deaths-injuries-on-Irish-roads
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
cRc Lung Bladder Melanoma stomach
incidence
Mortality
2.171.99
1.57
0.92
2.712.98
1.811.64
1.801.62
Cancer Site
Mal
e to
fem
ale
rate
ratio
s
Figure 4:Incidenceandmortalityrateratiosforselectedcancers2006-2008
Men’suseofservicesmayalsobeacontributing factor to theirhealthoutcomes.According to the
QuarterlyNationalHouseholdSurvey(2011)170,withtheexceptionofthe70+agecategory,menhad
fewerGPconsultations thanwomen in theprevious12months;women,onaverage,had1.5 times
moreconsultationsthanmen(range1.0-2.9morefemaleconsultations;70+yearsand25-34years
categories).Some34%ofmenhadnoGPconsultationintheprevioustwelvemonthscomparedwith
19%forwomen(some46%ofmalesaged18-34yearshadnoGPconsultation in theprevious12
months).
The importanceof targeting lifestylemodificationearly in lifeamongthosemenengaged inhealth-
damagingbehaviourshasbeenwellrecognised:
‘The seeds of death from degenerative conditions are probably sown in lifestyles established
earlier.’ 271p150
Healthpromotionandpreventativeeffortsneed, therefore, tostartwithboys. In recent times, there
hasbeensomegoodevidenceofsubstantivepositivechangeinboys’lifestylebehaviours.According
to theHBSCsurveyof 11-17 year old children in Ireland372, therewas,between1998and2010, a
statisticallysignificantdecreaseinthepercentageofboyswhoreported:
• thattheycurrentlysmoke(21.2%➔11.9%);
• thattheyhadeverbeendrunk(34.8%➔29.7%);and
• cannabisuseinthelast12months(14%➔10.2%).
Overall,theproportionofboyswhoreportexercisingfourormoretimesaweek(60%)hasremained
stableovertime.
It iswellestablished that lifestylebehavioursdevelopedearly in lifearepredictiveofbehaviours in
adulthood473.Continuedeffortsare,therefore,neededtotargetearlyyearslifestyleinterventionsamong
boys.
Health inequalities between different sub-populations of menWhilstaggregatedsexdifferencesinlifeexpectancyandmortalityareimportant,itishowevercrucially
important not to overlook the substantive differences in health status between different categories
ofmen. For example, compared tomen in the highest occupational classes,men from the lower
70CentralStatisticsOffice(2011).QuarterlyNationalHouseholdSurvey.Quarter3,2010.HealthStatusandHealthServiceUtilisation.Cork:CentralStatisticsOffice.71WhiteA.&HolmesM.(2006).Patternsofmortalityacross44countriesamongmenandwomenaged15-44years.JournalofMen’sHealthandGender.Vol.3,No.2,pp.139-51.72KellyC.,GavinA.,MolchoM.&NicGabhainnS.(2012).TheIrishHealthBehavioursinSchool-agedChildren(HBSC)Study2010.Dublin:DepartmentofHealth.73KelderS.H.,PerryC.L.,KleppK.I.&LytleL.L.(1994).Longitudinaltrackingofadolescentsmoking,physicalactivity,andfoodchoicebehaviours.AmericanJournalofPublicHealth,Jul84:71121-1126.
28 29
occupationalclasseshavepoorerhealthoutcomesandexperiencesignificantlyhighermortalityrates574.
Indeed,thegapbetweenrichandpoorerhasbeenincreasingratherthandecreasing:
‘There is a significant gradient in mortality rates across SEG for both men [higher] and women
with the absolute and relative differential between professional and manual occupational groups
increasing between the 1980s and 2000s ...’ (Layteetal,2014,p175)’675
AreportbytheInstituteofPublicHealth(2011)776ontheimpactofrecessionandunemploymentonmen’s
healthinIrelanddemonstratedstrongcausallinksbetweenrecession,unemploymentanddeclining
economicconditions,andthehealthandwellbeingofmeninIreland.Thereisalsoarangeofother
sub-populationsofmen,forwhomhealthoutcomesaresignificantlyworsethanthegeneralpopulation
ofIrishmen.Forexample,the2010All-IrelandTravellerHealthStudy877 revealed that life expectancy
for Travellermenwas 15.1 years lower than their general population counterparts. In fact, at 61.7
years,lifeexpectancyforTravellerswasfoundtobeatasimilarleveltothatofthegeneralpopulation
in the 1940s. In the context of Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [LGBT] groups, a recent
report978 raisedgraveconcernsabouthigher levelsofpsychologicaldistressrelatedtovictimisation
andstigmatisationamongLGBTpeople.This, in turn,wasrelatedtohigher levelsofself-harmand
suicidalityamongLGBTpeople-andyoungLGBTinparticular-whencomparedtotheirheterosexual
counterparts.Recentstudiesalsodrawattentiontohighratesofcardiovasculardisease1079 and a high
prevalenceofcardiovasculardiseaseriskfactors1180amongfarmersandfarmworkersinIreland.These
examplesunderline theneed forcontinuedand targetedapproaches to tackle thehealthneedsof
thosesub-populationsofmenmostinneedinordertoaddresshealthinequalitiesinIrishsociety.
74FarrellC.,McAvoyH.,WildeJ.andCombatPovertyAgency(2008).TacklingHealthInequalities-AnAll-IrelandApproachtoSocialDeterminants.Dublin:CombatPovertyAgency/InstituteofPublicHealthinIreland.75LayteR.,BanksJ.,WalshC.&McKnightG.(2014).Trendsinsocio-economicinequalitiesinmortalitybysexinIrelandfromthe1980stothe2000s.IrJMedSci76TheInstituteofPublicHealthinIreland(2011).Facingthechallenge:Theimpactofrecessionandunemploymentonmen’shealthinIreland.www.publichealth.ie/document/facing-challenge-impact-recession-and-unemployment-mens-health-ireland77UniversityCollegeDublin(2010).AllIrelandTravellerHealthStudy.SchoolofPublicHealth,PhysiotherapyandPopulationScience,UniversityCollegeDublin.78GLEN(2015).LGBTSelf-HarmandSuicidality:AnOverviewofNationalandInternationalResearchFindings.Availableat:www.glen.ie/attachments/LGBT_Self-Harm_&_Suicidality_-_an_overview_of_national_and_international_research_findings.pdf79SmythB.,EvansD.S.,KellyA.,CullenL.&O’DonovanD.(2013).ThefarmingpopulationinIreland:mortalitytrendsduringthe‘CelticTiger’years.EurJPublicHealth.Feb;23(1):50-5.80VanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2015).FarmersHaveHeartsEvaluation:AreportcommissionedbytheIrishHeartFoundation.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
Appendix6national and international publications and presentations
Publication type 2009-2016
Peer reviewed Journal Publications
LefkowichM.&RichardsonN.Men’shealthinalternativespaces:ExploringMen’sShedsinIreland(manuscriptacceptedforpublication:HealthPromotionInternational).
OsborneA.,CarrollP.,RichardsonN.,DohenyM.,BrennanL.&LambeB.Fromtrainingtopractice:theimpactofENGAGE,Ireland’snationalmen’shealthtrainingprogramme(manuscriptsubmittedforpublication:HealthPromotionInternational).
RichardsonN.&CarrollP.It’snotrocketscience-thecaseforapolicyfocusonmen’shealth(manuscriptsubmittedforpublication:InternationalJournalofMen’sHealth).
vanDoornD.,OsborneA.&RichardsonN.FarmersHaveHearts:thecardiovascularhealthstatusofasub-groupofIrishfarmers(manuscriptsubmittedforpublication:RuralHealth).
GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2016).“…ifyou’renotpartoftheinstitutionyoufallbythewayside”:Serviceproviders’perspectivesonmovingyoungmenfromdisconnectionandisolationtoconnectionandbelonging.AmericanJournalofMen’sHealth;1-13;doi1557988316634088.
LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2016).AprocessevaluationofaTrainingofTrainers(ToT)modelofhealthtraininginIreland:HealthPromotionInternational:doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daw056.
McCarthyM.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2016).Theroleofprimarycare:men’sperspectivesonattemptingtoloseweightthroughacommunity-baseddieticianservices.NewMaleStudies:5(1):48-67.
LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.&RobertsonS.(2015).“Ifwewanttogetmenin,thenweneedtoaskmenwhattheywant”:PathwaystoEffectiveHealthProgrammingforMen.Doi1557988315617825.
RichardsonN.,OsborneA.,O’NeillB.,GriffinP.,McNamaraJ.,RocheC.&vanDoornD.(2015).‘StayingFitforFarming:AhealthbookletdesignedforIrishFarmers’.JAgromedicine20(3):381-5.
CarrollP.,KirwanL.&LambeB.(2014).Engaging‘hardtoreach’menincommunitybasedhealthpromotion.InternationalJournalofHealthPromotionandEducation,52(3):120-130.
KirwanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2013).Aninvestigationintothepartnershipprocessofcommunitybasedhealthpromotionformen.InternationalJournalofHealthPromotionandEducation51(2):108-120.
RichardsonN.(2013).BuildingMomentum,GainingTraction:Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthPolicy-5yearsOn.NewMaleStudies,2(3):93-103.
30 31
Publication type 2009-2015
Peer reviewed Journal Publications
WhiteA.,deSousaB.,DeVisserR.,MadsenS.A.,MakaraP.,RichardsonN.&ZatonskiW.(2013).Europe’smissingmen;theimpactoflifeexpectancyimprovementsonmen’sprematuremortality.TheEuropeanJournalofPublicHealth;10.1093:1-7.
WhiteA.,McKeeM.,RichardsonN.,DeVisserR.,MadsenS.A.,deSousaB.,MakarP.&ZatonskiW.(2011).Europe’smenneedtheirownhealthstrategy.BMJ,343:d7397-11.
WhiteA.,deSousaB.,MakaraP.,DeVisserR.,MadsenS.A.,RaineG.,RichardsonN.,ClarkeN.&ZatonskiW.(2011).Men’shealthinEurope.Men’sHealthJournal,8(3):192-201.
WhiteA.&RichardsonN.(2011).Genderedepidemiology:Makingmen’shealthvisibleinepidemiologicalresearch.PublicHealth,125(7):407-410.
RichardsonN.&SmithJ.(2011).Nationalmen’shealthpoliciesinIrelandandAustralia:whatarethechallengesassociatedwithtransitioningfromdevelopmenttoimplementation.PublicHealth,125(7):424-432.
RichardsonN.(2010).“The‘buck’stopswithme”-reconcilingmen’slayconceptualisationsofresponsibilityforhealthwithmen’shealthpolicy.HealthSociologyReview,20(2):419-436.
SmithJ.,RobertsonS.&RichardsonN.(2010).Understandinggenderequityinthecontextofmen’shealthpolicydevelopment.HealthPromotionJournalofAustralia,21(1):76-77.
RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2009).Gettingmen’shealthontoapolicyagenda-chartingthedevelopmentofanationalmen’shealthpolicyinIreland.JournalofMen’sHealth,6(2):105-113.
SmithJ.,WhiteA.,RichardsonN.&RobertsonS.(2009).Themen’shealthpolicycontextsinAustralia,theUKandIreland:Advancementorabandonment?CriticalPublicHealth,9(3-4):427-440.
Conference Proceedings
RobertsonC.,ArchibaldD.,AvenellA.,DouglasF.,HoddinottP.,vanTeijlingenE.,BoyersD.,StewartF.,BoachieC.,FioratouE.,WilkinsD.,StreetT.,CarrollP.&FowlerC.(2014).Systematicreviewsandintegratedreportonthequantitative,qualitativeandeconomicevidencebaseforthemanagementofobesityinmen.HealthTechnolAssess.18(35),1-424.Availableat:www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/118180/FullReport-hta18350.pdf
CarrollP.(2009).EngagingVulnerableMeninIreland.JournalofMen’sHealth,6(3):273no.182.
Publication type 2009-2015
Conference Presentations- Oral and Poster
Oral:
RichardsonN.(2015).Challengesandopportunitiesformen’shealth.Men’sHealthSymposium.Dublin,15thApril.
vanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2015).FarmersHaveHeartsprogrammeevaluation.Men’sHealthSymposium.Dublin,15thApril.
CarrollP.,LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,LambeB.&OsborneA.(2015).ENGAGE.Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgramme.Men’sHealthSymposium.Dublin,15thApril.
CarrollP.,KirwanL.&LambeB.(2015).Engaging‘HardtoReach’MeninCommunityBasedHealthPromotion.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2015).EngagingYoungMenProject:Thedesignandevaluationofatrainingprogrammetargetedatfrontlineserviceproviderstoengagemoreeffectivelywithyoungmen.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
KeohaneA.,RichardsonN.&Osborne,A.(2015).“…sometimesthethingsthatworrypeoplethemostisthelastthingtheywilltalkabout…”applyingagenderlenstoinformnationalsuicidepreventioninterventions.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.&RobertsonS.(2015).Ifwewanttogetmenin,thenweneedtoaskmenwhattheywant.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
LefkowichM.&RichardsonN.(2015).“IcometotheShed,Ifeelbetteraboutmyself,Igohomeandtreatmyfamilyinabetterway”:ExploringMasculinitiesandMen’sShedsinIreland.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2015).Engage:Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgramme-aninteractiveworkshop.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
RichardsonN.(2015).Engage:Ireland’snationalmen’shealthtrainingprogramme.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
RichardsonN.(2014).Men’sSheds:Layingthefoundationsformen’shealth.IrishMen’sShedsAssociationNationalConference.DublinCityUniversity,November.
BarryM.,StathamJ.,Barry-MurphyB.,BrennanL.&CarrollP.(2014).UnderstandingWellbeinginChangingTimes:TheRoleofSPHE.SPHENetworkConference.Dublin,October.
RichardsonN.,OsborneA.,O’NeillB.,GriffinP.,McNamaraJ.,RocheC.&vanDoornD.(2014).StayingFitforFarming:AhealthbookletdesignedforIrishfarmers.7thInternationalSymposium:SafetyandHealthinAgricultureandRuralPopulations:GlobalPerspectives,Saskatoon19th-22ndOctober.
32 33
Publication type 2009-2015
Conference Presentations- Oral and Poster
Oral:
KeohaneA.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2014).Applyingagenderlenstoanationalsuicidepreventionsocialmarketingcampaign.Men,HealthandWellbeing:CriticalInsights.LeedsMetropolitanUniversity,7th-8thJuly.
RichardsonN.(2014).Engaging‘hardtoreach’men.Men,HealthandWellbeing:CriticalInsights.LeedsMetropolitanUniversity,7th-8thJuly.
CanavanL.&CarrollP.(2014).‘MenontheMove’activityprogramme:anevaluation.18thAnnualHealthPromotionConference.ApplyingthePrinciplesofHealthPromotiontoPopulationHealthImprovement.NUIGalway,June.
CarrollP.,KirwanL.,BrennanL.&LambeB.(2014).CommunityBasedHealthPromotion:AGuideforPractitioners.18thAnnualHealthPromotionConference.ApplyingthePrinciplesofHealthPromotiontoPopulationHealthImprovement.NUIGalway,June.
DohenyM.,OsborneA.,RichardsonN.,LambeB.,BrennanL.&CarrollP.(2014).Engage-Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgramme.18thAnnualHealthPromotionConference.ApplyingthePrinciplesofHealthPromotiontoPopulationHealthImprovement.NUIGalway,June.
RichardsonN.(2014).Tacklingmaleobesityintheprimarycaresetting.RoyalCollegeofGeneralPractitioners’Conference.London,30thApril.
vanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2014).HealthpromotionandIrishfarmers.MakinganImpact2014Final.HigherEducationAuthority.DublinCityUniversity,12thMarch.
RichardsonN.(2013).Overviewoflifestylesandriskfactorsformen’shealthanddirectionsforhealthpromotion-Concepts,ResearchProjectsandBestPracticeExamples.EuropeanPublicHealthConference.Brussels,16thNovember.
RichardsonN.(2013).AreportontheexcessburdenofcanceramongmeninIreland.AustralianNationalMen’sHealthConference.Brisbane,22nd-25thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2013).AnoverviewofENGAGE-Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgramme.AustralianNationalMen’sHealthConference.Brisbane,22nd-25thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2013).InvestigatingtheImpactofaMen’sHealthandWellbeingProgrammeTargetedatDisadvantagedMeninDublin’sInnerCity.AustralianNationalMen’sHealthConference.Brisbane,22nd-25thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2013).Youngmenandsuicide.IrishCollegeofGeneralPractitioners’SummerSchool.Kilkenny,20thJune.
RichardsonN.(2013).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy:Keylessonslearnedintransitioningtopolicyimplementation.NationalMen’sHealthConference.Dublin,13thJune.
RichardsonN.(2013).AreportontheexcessburdenofcancerinmenintheRepublicofIreland.ReportLaunch.Dublin,11thJune.
RichardsonN.(2013).Men’sHealthPolicyContext:TheIrishExperience.Men’sHealthSymposium,EUParliament.Brussels,19thMarch.
Publication type 2009-2015
Conference Presentations- Oral and Poster
Oral:
RichardsonN.(2013).Men’shealthinthefarmingcommunity.IOSHConference.Dundrum,CoTipperary,13thMarch.
RichardsonN.(2013).Whytheexcessburdenofcancerinmen?-Anoverview.MenandCancerSymposium.London,29thJanuary.
RichardsonN.(2013).TheYoungMenandSuicideProject.ReportLaunch.Dublin,23rdJanuary.
RichardsonN.(2012).Challengingtimesformen-challengingtimesformasculinity.Profilingmen’shealthinthesouth-east.Men’sDevelopmentNetwork,14thNovember.
RichardsonN.(2012).Understandingmen’shealthfromasocialdeterminantsperspective.InternationalConferenceonGenderandHealth.Montreal,Canada,29thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2012).AnoverviewoftheMen’sHealthandWellbeingProgrammeinDublin’sinnercity.Kelowna,BritishColumbia,Canada,9thOctober.
BrennanL.,KirwanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2012).Aninvestigationintothepartnershipprocessofcommunitybasedhealthpromotionformen.HealthPromotionSummerSchool:‘EmbracingNewAgendasforHealthPromotionAction-Developingworkforcecompetenciesforeffectivepractice’.NUIGalway,June.
CarrollP.,KirwanL.&LambeB.(2012).Engagingvulnerablemenincommunitybasedhealthpromotion.HealthPromotionSummerSchool:‘EmbracingNewAgendasforHealthPromotionAction-Developingworkforcecompetenciesforeffectivepractice’.NUIGalway,June.
RichardsonN.(2012).Isthereaneedforgenderedhealthpolicies?GenderandHealththroughLife.Copenhagen,Denmark,14thJune.
RichardsonN.(2012).Inequalitiesandmen’shealth?Turningthepolicyspotlightonmen.InequalitiesinHealthConference.UCD,18thApril.
CarrollP.(2011).IrishSportsCouncilPAProgrammeforMen.9thMarch.
RichardsonN.(2011).Men’shealthpolicycontextinIreland.Boys’andMen’sHealthForum-hostedbyPublicHealthAgencyandInstituteofGenderandHealthCanada.Ottawa,Canada,22ndNovember.
RichardsonN.(2011).ThefirstEUReportonMen’sHealth:Whatarethepolicyimplications?ForumonEUMen’sHealthReport.LeedsMetropolitanUniversity,3rdNovember.
RichardsonN.(2011).AnoverviewofthecurrentcontextofsuicideincidenceamongyoungpeopleinNorthernIreland.SuicidePreventionConference.Queen’sUniversityBelfast,20thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2011).Menandaddiction-FatalAttraction(Effectivesmokingcessation).WorldCongressonMen’sHealth.Vienna,3rdOctober.
34 35
Publication type 2009-2015
Conference Presentations- Oral and Poster
Oral:
RichardsonN.(2011).MissingMen:Findingsfrom‘TheStateofMen´sHealthinEurope’Report.WorldCongressonMen’sHealth.Vienna,2ndOctober.
DunneN.&RichardsonN.(2011).MaleMinder:theimpactofaspecificallycommissionedmen’shealthbookletintheworkplace.NationalMen’sHealthConference.Perth,Australia,20thSeptember.
RichardsonN.&LambeB.(2011).Tacklingmaleobesityintheprimarycaresetting.IrishCollegeofGeneralPractitioners’SummerSchool.Kilkenny,23rdJune.
RichardsonN.(2011).Countingthecostsofaccidentsinmen:ImplicationsfromthefirstEUreportonmen’shealth.InternationalConferenceonOccupationalHealthandsafety.Kilkenny,15thJune.
RichardsonN.(2011).KeyfindingsofthefirstEUReportonMen’sHealth.EUParliament,Brussels,14thJune.
RichardsonN.(2011).Bestpracticeapproachestotailoringlifestyleinterventionsforobesemenintheprimarycaresetting.WeightoMen’sHealth-Conference.Safefood,Belfast,8thJune.
RichardsonN.(2011).The‘buck’stopswithme-reconcilingmen’slayconceptualisationsofresponsibilityforhealthwithmen’shealthpolicy.MenandMasculinitiesConference.Quebec,Canada,12thMarch.
CarrollP.&LambeB.(2010).BriefInterventionsandMen’sHealth.HealthPromotionSummerSchool-MultidisciplinaryApproachestoMen’sHealth.NUIGalway,9thJune.
CarrollP.(2010).AdvocatingforMen’sHealth:ACommunityDevelopmentPerspective.PanelPresentationatthe7thWorldCongressonMen’sHealth.Nice,October.
DunneN.&RichardsonN.(2010).MaleMinder:theimpactofaspecificallycommissionedmen’shealthbookletintheworkplace.HealthPromotionSummerSchool.UniversityCollegeGalway,11thJune.
McCarthyM.&RichardsonN.(2010).Bestpracticeapproachestotailoringlifestyleinterventionsforobesemenintheprimarycaresetting.HealthPromotionSummerSchool.UniversityCollegeGalway,11thJune.
CarrollP.(2010).TheCarlowMen’sHealthProject.HealthPromotionSummerSchool-‘MultidisciplinaryApproachestoMen’sHealth’.NUIGalway,June.
ClarkeN.&RichardsonN.(2010).AnevaluationoftheLarkinCentre’sMen’sHealthandWellbeingProgramme.HealthPromotionSummerSchool.UniversityCollegeGalway,10thJune.
KirwanL.,CarrollP.&LambeB.(2010).Communitybasedhealthscreeningtargetingvulnerablemen.HealthPromotionSummerSchool-‘MultidisciplinaryApproachestoMen’sHealth’.NUIGalway,June.
RichardsonN.(2010).Men’shealthinIreland:Keymilestonestodate,keychallengesahead.HealthPromotionSummerSchool.UniversityCollegeGalway,10thJune.
Publication type 2009-2015
Conference Presentations- Oral and Poster
Oral:
RichardsonN.(2010).Men’sHealthinIreland:ThefirstNationalStrategy.AndrologyAustraliaConference.Sydney,5thJune.
RichardsonN.(2010).ChallengestoEngagingMeninHealthServices.ManMattersConference.Belfast,18thMay.
KirwanL.,CarrollP.&LambeB.(2009).DevelopingastrategytoaddressthehealthneedsofvulnerablemeninCarlow.PostgraduatePresentationDay.WaterfordInstituteofTechnology,December.
CarrollP.(2009).TheApproachtoPolicyDevelopment.EuropeanMen’sHealthForumNetworkMeeting.Vienna,Austria,9th-11thOctober.
CarrollP.&BrennanL.(2009).ManagingtheReluctantMaleAttender.IrishCongressofGeneralPractitioners’SummerSchool.Kilkenny,June.
CarrollP.&MurrayF.(2009).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy2008-2013.RegionalHealthForum-DublinNorthEast,CommitteeMeeting.Meath,April.
RichardsonN.(2009).Lookingbeyondtheprostate:Reflectingontheparadoxes,dilemmasandchallengesformen’shealthinthe21stCentury.InequalitiesandHealthForum.UniversityofLimerick,4thDecember.
CarrollP.(2009).EngagingVulnerableMeninIreland.PanelPresentationatthe6thWorldCongressonMen’sHealth.Vienna,October.
RichardsonN.(2009).Men’sHealthinIreland:ThefirstNationalStrategy.Keynotepresentationat6thWorldCongressonMen’sHealth.Vienna,10thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2009).Mencounttoo:Harnessingstrengththroughchallengingtimes.ClareMentalHealthWeek.Ennis,6thOctober.
RichardsonN.(2009).WhatdoesaMale-FriendlyPracticelooklike?IrishCollegeofGeneralPractitioners’AnnualConference.Kilkenny,23rdJune.
RichardsonN.(2009).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy:WorkingwithmeninIrelandtoachieveoptimumhealthandwellbeing.Launchofmen’shealthpolicy.DepartmentofHealthandChildren,28thJanuary.
CarrollP.(2008).PuttingtheMANbackintoMen’sHealth.IrishCongressofGeneralPractitioners’AGM.Galway,May.
CarrollP.(2007).TurningtheSpotlightonthe‘Men’in‘Men’sHealth’.IrishCongressofGeneralPractitioners’SummerSchool.Kilkenny,June.
RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2005).Gettingmen’shealthontoapolicyagenda-challengesandopportunities.Keynotepresentationatthe6thNationalAustralianMen’sHealthConference.Melbourne,October.
CarrollP.(2004).TheDevelopmentoftheNationalMen’sHealthPolicy.1stNationalMen’sHealthConference.Wexford,December.
36 37
Publication type 2009-2015
Conference Presentations- Oral and Poster
Poster:
vanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2015).FarmersHaveHearts.Usinggenderstrategiestoengagemeninnon-traditionalhealthspaces.InternationalConferenceonMasculinities:EngagingMenandBoysforGenderEquality.NewYork,5th-8thMarch.
LefkowichM.&RichardsonN.(2014).‘Shedding’LightonMen’sHealth:TheParadoxofPolitics,PrivilegeandPowerinGlobalHealth.PreliminaryfindingsfromthefirstexploratoryqualitativestudyofMen’sShedsinIreland.GlobalHealthSummit.Toronto,5thNovember.
GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2014).EngagingYoungMenProject.ACAMHTransitionsandYouthMentalHealth-4thNationalOne-DayResearchConferenceonYouthMentalHealth.Cork,10thOctober.
KeohaneA.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2014).Applyingagenderlenstoanationalsuicidepreventionsocialmarketingcampaign.ACAMHTransitionsandYouthMentalHealth-4thNationalOne-DayResearchConferenceonYouthMentalHealth.Cork,10thOctober.
DohenyM.,OsborneA.,RichardsonN.,LambeB.,BrennanL.&CarrollP.(2014).Engage-Ireland’sNationalMen’sHealthTraining.Men,HealthandWellbeing:CriticalInsights.CentreforMen’sHealth,LeedsMetropolitanUniversity,July.
vanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2014).FarmersHaveHearts.Men,HealthandWellbeing:CriticalInsights.LeedsMetropolitanUniversity,7th-8thJuly.
CarrollP.,KirwanL.,BrennanL.&LambeB.(2014).Men’sHealthMatters:APracticalGuidetoHealthcareforMen.18thAnnualHealthPromotionConference.ApplyingthePrinciplesofHealthPromotiontoPopulationHealthImprovement.NUIGalway,June.
RichardsonN.(2012).Turningthepolicyspotlightonmen’shealth-lessonslearnedfromIreland.InternationalConferenceonGenderandHealth.Montreal,Canada,28th-30thOctober.
KirwanL.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2011).Morethanjustaphysicalactivityprogramme.Futureperspectivesforintervention,policyandresearchonmenandmasculinities:aninternationalforumforthesharingandexchangeofknowledge.Quebec,Canada,March.
Book Chapters ShawC.,LohanM.&RichardsonN.(2015).Fathersandparenting.Learningonthejob:ParentinginmodernIreland.OakTreePress.
SmithJ.A.,RichardsonN.&RobertsonS.Applyingagenderlenstopublichealthdiscoursesonmen’shealth(InPress).
Other e.g. Blogs, Policy documents etc.
reports / Policy documents:
GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2015).EngagingYoungMenProject.AreportonthemappingexerciseconductedinIrelandin2014.Dublin:Men’sHealthForuminIreland.Availableat:www.mhfi.org/EYMPmappingreport.pdf
RichardsonN.(2015).Socialintegrationandriskofsuicideinmen(Commentary).NationalInstituteforHealthandCareExcellence(NICE)www.nice.org.uk/Media/Default/newsletter/Eyes-on-Evidence-April-2015.pdf
Publication type 2009-2015
Other e.g. Blogs, Policy documents etc.
LefkowichM.,RichardsonN.&RobertsonS.(2015).Engagingmenaspartnersandparticipants:guidingprinciples,strategiesandperspectivesforcommunityinitiativesandholisticpartnerships.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
vanDoornD.,RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2015).FarmersHaveHeartsEvaluation:AreportcommissionedbytheIrishHeartFoundation.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
GraceB.,RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2014).EngagingYoungMen:AreportcommissionedbytheNationalOfficeforSuicidePrevention.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
ClarkeN.,SharpL.,O’LearyE.&RichardsonN.(2013).Anexaminationoftheexcessburdenofcancerinmen:AreportcommissionedbytheIrishCancerSociety.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
RichardsonN.,ClarkeN.&FowlerC.(2013).YoungMenandSuicideProject.AreportfromtheMen’sHealthForuminIreland.
WhiteA.,deSousaB.,DeVisserR.,MadsenS.A.,MakaraP.,RichardsonN.&ZatonskiW.(2011).Thefirststateofmen’shealthinEuropereport.EuropeanUnion,Brussels.
KirwanL.,MurphyN.,LambeB.&CarrollP.(2010).NationalMen’sHealthWeek2010:EvaluationReport.Derry:Men’sHealthForuminIreland.Availableat:www.mhfi.org
McCarthyM.,RichardsonN.,KirwanL.,O’ConnellL.,DunneN.&CarrollP.(2009).NationalMen’sHealthWeek2009:EvaluationReport.Belfast:Men’sHealthForuminIreland.Availableat:www.mhfi.org
RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2009).Men’sHealthinIreland:InMen’sHealthAroundtheWorld-AreportfromtheEuropeanMen’sHealthForum.Availableat:www.xyonline.net/sites/default/files/EMHF,%20Men’s%20Health%20Around%20the%20World%2009.pdf
DepartmentofHealthandChildren.(2008).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy2008-2013:WorkingwithmeninIrelandtoachieveoptimumhealthandwellbeing.HawkinsHouse,Dublin2.Authors:RichardsonN.andCarrollP.
DepartmentofHealthandChildren.(2008).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy2008-2013.WorkingwithmeninIrelandtoachieveoptimumhealthandwellbeing.ReferenceDocument.Authors:RichardsonN.andCarrollP.Availableat:http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/reference_document.pdf
McEvoyR.&RichardsonN.(2004).Men’sHealthinIreland.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.Availableat:www.mhfi.org
RichardsonN.(2004).GettingInsideMen’sHealth.HealthPromotionUnit,DepartmentofHealthandChildren.Availableat:http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/getting-inside-mens-health
38 39
Publication type 2009-2015
Other e.g. Blogs, Policy documents etc.
Other Publications
CarrollP.(2015).MenontheMove.HealthInformationBooklet.CentreforHealthBehaviourResearch,WaterfordInstituteofTechnology.Availableat:www.wit.ie/about_wit/contact_us/staff_directory/paula_carroll#tab=repouser
FowlerC.,RichardsonN.,CarrollP.,BrennanL.&MurrayF.(2015).ConnectingwithYoungMen:EngagingYoungMenNationalTrainingProgrammeandResourcePack.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.
CarrollP.,KirwanL.&LambeB.(2013).CommunityBasedHealthPromotionforMen:AGuideforPractitioners.CentreforHealthBehaviourResearch,WaterfordInstituteofTechnology.Availableat:www.researchgate.net/publication/260479595_Community_Based_Health_Promotion_for_Men._A_Guide_for_Practitioners
CarrollP.(2013).Men’sHealthMatters.APracticalGuidetoHealthcareforMen.[2ndEdition].CentreforHealthBehaviourResearch,WaterfordInstituteofTechnology.
RichardsonN.,BrennanL.,CarrollP.&LambeB.(2013).Engage:NationalMen’sHealthTrainingProgrammeandResourcePack.InstituteofTechnologyCarlow.
RichardsonN.&OsborneA.(2013).‘StayingFitForFarming’-Ahealthbookletforfarmers(September).
RichardsonN.,ClarkeN.&FowlerC.(2013).YoungMenandSuicide.ModernMedicine(March).
RichardsonN.(2012).Overweightor‘justbig-boned’-tacklingmaleobesityinprimarycare.ModernMedicine(December).
RichardsonN.(2012).Engenderinganewapproachtomen’shealth.ModernMedicine,Vol44,No1:6-8.
RichardsonN.(2012).HealthandIrishMen(HealthSupplement;Issue2).FederationofIrishSocieties/NationalCancerActionTeam.March.
CarrollP.(2011).Men’sHealthMatters:APracticalGuidetoHealthcareforMen.CentreforHealthBehaviourResearch,WaterfordInstituteofTechnology.
McCarthyM.&RichardsonN.(2011).Bestpracticeapproachestotailoringlifestyleinterventionsforobesemenintheprimarycaresetting:Aresourcebookletforhealthcareprofessionalsworkingwithobesemenintheprimarycaresetting.CentreforMen’sHealth,ITCarlow.
RichardsonN.&ClarkeN.(2011).Men’sHealthinNorthernIreland:TacklingtheRootCausesofMen’s[ill]-Health.ManMattersPolicyBriefingPaperNo1.
RichardsonN.&LambeB.(2011).Tacklingmaleobesityintheprimarycaresetting.Forum(JournalofICGP).September.
RichardsonN.(2010).TheCaseforaDefenceForcesroleinpromotingphysicalactivityandsupportingthedeliveryofphysicaleducationinIrishschools.OireachtasCommitteeReport,15thDecember.
Publication type 2009-2015
Other e.g. Blogs, Policy documents etc.
Other Publications
RichardsonN.,DunneN.&ClarkeN.(2010).TheLarkinCentre:Men’sHealthandWellbeingProgrammeEvaluationReport.CentreforMen’sHealth,ITCarlow.
RichardsonN.&CarrollP.(2009).TopTipstoSupportMentoAccessPrimaryCareServices.Men’sHealthForuminIreland.Availableat:www.mhfi.org/toptips2009.pdf
RichardsonN.(2008).NationalMen’sHealthPolicy2008-2013:WorkingwithmeninIrelandtoachieveoptimumhealthandwellbeing.Forum(JournalofICGP).
RichardsonN.(2008).DyingforaPolicyFocusonMen’sHealth.EuropeanCanCerOrganisation(ECCO).
40 41
Appendix7Membership of National Men’s Health Policy Implementation Group who oversaw the development of HI-M 2017-2021
DrJohnDevlin,DoH
MsSandraBarnes,DoH
MsBiddyO’Neill,HSE
MrOwenMetcalfe,IPH
MrAlanO’Neill,MDN
MrLorcanBrennan,MDN
MrFinianMurray,MHFI
MsJoanneVance/MrKevinO’Hagan,ICS
MsAnnScanlon,IHF
DrNoelRichardson,NCMH,ITC
DrPaulaCarroll,CHBR,WIT
drafting Committee:Ms Biddy o’Neill
Mr alan o’Neill
Mr lorcan Brennan
DrNoelRichardson
DrPaulaCarroll
authors:DrNoelRichardson
DrPaulaCarroll
42 43
Appendix8Overview of existing policy that will be supported by actions from HI-M 2017-2021
Policy area
existing Policy / Strategy / Framework
recommendations actions actions from HI-M 2017-2021 that support existing policy
1 changing CardiovascularHealth:NationalCardiovascularHealth Policy 2010-201981
Recommendation 3.1(Preventionand Health Promotion)
Prioritise actions (andreachtargets)thatpromote the health behaviourprofilesunderpinningcardiovascularhealth
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7A2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8A2.8ImplementtherecommendationsoftheFarmersHaveHeartsevaluationinthefutureroll-outofcardiovascularriskscreening(includingbroadeningthereach of the programme to other male populationgroups)
Recommendation 3.2(Preventionand Health Promotion)
Inter-sectoralworkshouldbegiventhe priority it needs todeliverhealth-relatedbenefitandreductionsininequalityincardiovascularhealth targets
A2.3SupporttheGAAwiththeimplementationandongoingevaluationoftheHealthyClubsInitiative-whichadoptsaninter-sectoralapproachtohealth promotion and disease preventionA3.1ContinuetosupportENGAGEtrainers to deliver training to front line serviceproviders(includingtheup-skillingofTrainerstodeliverUnits1-5asstand-aloneUnits)A3.6ContinuetocelebrateMHWandtobuildupontheMHWpartnershipnetworkestablishedtodateA3.7ContinuetosupporttheNationalFarm safety Partnership to promote improvedhealthandwellbeingamongthefarmingcommunity
2 National cancer Strategy2006:a strategy for cancer control in ireland (EvaluationPanel Report 30thDecember2014)82
Recommendation 3(PreventionandScreening)
Thereshouldbeasustainedemphasis on primary prevention and screening
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7A2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1A3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1A3.6SeeNationalMen’sHealthWeekarea 1A3.7SeeNationalFarmSafetyPartnership area 1
Recommendation 9(Research)
Developacomprehensive infrastructuretofacilitate research
A2.7SupporttheimplementationoftheMenandCancerReportwithaparticularfocusoncancerandhealthliteracy(focusingonthecancerinformationneedsofmenover40yearsofagefromlowersocio-economicgroups)
81DepartmentofHealthandChildren(2010)82DepartmentofHealth(2015)
44 45
Policy area
existing Policy / Strategy / Framework
recommendations actions actions from HI-M 2017-2021 that support existing policy
3 TobaccoFreeireland action Plan83
Recommendation 9.9:Offerhelptoquittobaccouse
Undertaketargeted approaches for specificgroups(includingyoungpeople and lower socio-economicgroups)
A3.6SeeMen’sHealthWeekPolicyArea1
Recommendation 10.1:Nationaland international Partnerships
Statutoryandnon-statutoryagenciestoworkcollaborativelytoachieve policy aims
A2.1SeeMenontheMove,PolicyArea7re.asnowballeffectontobaccoconsumptionA2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8re.asnowballeffectontobaccoconsumptionA2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1re.asnowballeffectonalcoholconsumptionA3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1
4 NationalDrugsStrategy2009-201684
action 19 Developaframeworkforthefuturedesignof targeted prevention andeducationinterventions in relationtodrugsand alcohol usingatieredorgraduatedapproach
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7re.asnowballeffectonalcoholconsumptionA2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8re.asnowballeffectonalcoholconsumptionA2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1re.asnowballeffectonalcoholconsumptionA3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1
5 steering GroupReporton a National SubstanceMisusestrategy85
PreventionPillar2 Furtherdevelopaco-ordinatedapproach to prevention andeducationinterventions in relation to alcohol and drugsasaco-operative effort betweenallstakeholders
A2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8re.asnowballeffectonalcoholconsumptionA2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1re.asnowballeffectonalcoholconsumptionA3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1
Policy area
existing Policy / Strategy / Framework
recommendations actions actions from HI-M 2017-2021 that support existing policy
PreventionPillar5 Encouragethe provision ofalcohol-freevenueswithanemphasis on those most at risk(e.g.YouthCafes,alcoholfreemusicanddancevenuesand sports venues)
A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1A3.6SeeMen’sHealthWeekPolicyArea1
6 a Healthy Weight for Ireland:ObesityPolicy and action Plan 2016-202586
Step6:Mobilisethehealth services tobetterpreventand address overweight andobesitythrougheffectivecommunity-basedprogrammes,trainingandskillsdevelopment andthroughenhanced systems for detection and referrals of overweight and obesepatientsinprimary care
6.7:Developand integrate evidence-based,effective,community-basedhealthpromotion programmes targetedathigh-riskgroupswithinallcommunityhealth organisations
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7A2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1A3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1
Step8:Acknowledgethekeyroleofphysical activity in the prevention of overweight and obesity
8.3:Developaspecificphysicalactivity plan to address the needs of severely overweight and obeseindividuals
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7A2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1
86DepartmentofHealth(2016)
83DepartmentofHealth(2013)84DepartmentofHealth(2009)85DepartmentofHealth(2012)
46 47
Policy area
existing Policy / Strategy / Framework
recommendations actions actions from HI-M 2017-2021 that support existing policy
7 GetIrelandActive:ANational Physical activity Plan for ireland87
ActionArea6:sport and Physical activity in the Community
A54:Strengthenand enhance the capacity of the LSPstofurtherdeveloplocally-led plans and morelong-termsustainablephysical activity programmes
A55:Continuetosupporttheworkof the National GoverningBodies of sport in implementing programmes to promote physical activity
A2.1MenontheMove[MoM]isacommunity-basedphysicalactivity[PA]programmetargetedatpreviouslyinactiveadultmen.Aspartoftheprogramme,menattendleader-ledPAsessionsweeklyaswellasone-offworkshopsonnutritionandwellbeingfromHSEstaff.Theyareprovided with a Pa and health information booklet,anIHFpedometer,andareinvitedtoparticipateina5kmeventattheendoftheprogramme.A2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1A3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1
action area 7:Research,Monitoring and Evaluation
A59:Establisha research programme to inform policies aimed at improving physical activity levels in each of thetargetgroups
A2.1TheMoMprogrammeis,currently,beingevaluatedusingabiopsychosocialapproachupto52weeksfrombaseline(interventionn=490men;comparisongroupn=420men)withaviewtoinforminganationalapproachtoimplementation.Thefindingswillinformpolicyaimedat improving physical activity levels in previouslyinactiveadultmales.
8 connecting for lifeireland’s National strategy to ReduceSuicide2015-202088
Goal2 Tosupportlocalcommunities’capacity to prevent and respond tosuicidalbehaviour
A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1A3.1SeeENGAGEPolicyArea1
Policy area
existing Policy / Strategy / Framework
recommendations actions actions from HI-M 2017-2021 that support existing policy
8 Goal3 to target approaches to reducesuicidalbehaviourandimprove mental health among prioritygroups
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7re.thesocialintegrationofaprioritygroupand the positive effect on overall social and mentalwellbeingA2.2SupporttheIMSAandMen’sShedswiththeimplementationofaQualityAssuranceandOutcomesFrameworkA2.4Developnewinitiatives(e.g.withmiddle-agedmen)andsupportthewiderroll-outofexistinginitiatives(e.g.EngagingYoungMen,MojoProject)topromotepositivementalhealthandresilienceamongatriskgroupsofmenA2.6DevelopnewinitiativestargetedatTravellermen,withaparticularfocusonmentalhealthandresiliencebuildingA3.2ExpandthenumberofENGAGEUnit6Trainersandcontinuetosupportexistingtrainers to deliver training to frontline service providersA3.6SeeNationalMen’sHealthWeekArea1A3.7SeeNationalFarmSafetyPartnershiparea 1
9 Positive ageing -StartsNowthe National Positive ageing strategy89
Goal1 Remove barrierstoparticipation and provide more opportunitiesforthecontinuedinvolvement of people as they age in all aspects ofcultural,economic and social life in their communitiesaccording to theirneeds,preferences and capacities
A2.1SeeMenontheMovePolicyArea7-currentparticipantsareupto83yearsof ageA2.2SeeMen’sShedsPolicyArea8-Men’s sheds’ participants are mostly older menA2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyArea1
Goal4 Supportanduseresearchaboutpeopleas they age to betterinformpolicy responses topopulationageing in ireland
A4.2Ensurethatallmen’shealthworkisevaluatedinaccordancewithbestpracticeandthatpractitionersaresupportedtohaveevaluationbuiltintotheirpractice
87DepartmentofHealth(2016)88DepartmentofHealth(2015) 89DepartmentofHealth(2013)
48
Policy area
existing Policy / Strategy / Framework
recommendations actions actions from HI-M 2017-2021 that support existing policy
10 Better OutcomesBrighter Futures:TheNational Policy Frameworkforchildren and YoungPeople90
Outcome1 Childrenandyoungpeople are active and healthy with positive physical and mentalwellbeing
A2.3SeeGAAHealthyClubPolicyarea 1A3.3Facilitationskillstrainingisbeingdeliveredto8youthsectororganisationswhichinvolvesworkingintensivelywith2membersofstaff(n=8residentialdays+1day),managers(1day)andthewholestaff(1day)withaviewtoupskillingstafftodevelopself-awareness and emotional intelligence withintheyoungmenwithwhomtheywork.Thistrainingisalsothesubjectofanevaluationwithaviewtoinformingfuturetrainingtothissectorand elsewhere
Outcome5 children and youngpeopleareconnected,respectedandcontributingtotheir world
A3.2SeeENGAGEUnit6PolicyArea8A3.8Continuetotrainthoseintheyouthsector to facilitate the development of self-awarenessandemotionalintelligenceamongyoungmen
11 NationalYouthStrategy2015-202091
Outcome1 ActiveandHealthy:Physical and Mental Wellbeing
A3.3Seefacilitationskillstraining,PolicyArea10
Outcome5 Connected,Respected and ContributingtotheirWorld
A3.2SeeENGAGEUnit6PolicyArea8A3.3SeesupportyouthsectorPolicyArea10
12 NationalSexualHealth strategy 2015-202092
action 4 ExtensionofHPVvaccine to adolescent boysandpotentialat-riskgroups(e.g.MSM)tobeconsidered
A3.6Co-ordinateMHWannuallyand expand the MHW partnership network(throughitsadvocacywork,MHFItocontinuetoinformthedebatesurroundingHPVvaccinationforboys)
Actions6-12 Supporttheongoingdevelopment of sexualhealthtrainingandeducationalmaterials and resourcestargetedatparents,teachersandyouthworkers
A3.8Trainthoseintheyouthsectortofacilitatethedevelopmentofself-awareness and emotional intelligence amongyoungmen
90DepartmentofChildrenandYouthAffairs(2014)91DepartmentofChildrenandYouthAffairs(2015)92DepartmentofHealth(2015).NationalSexualHealthStrategy.HawkinsHouse