Possible reasons

for lower life expectancy include behavior choices that affect men's health;

less use of an access to health care; and pressure to live up to society's

expectations for men.

"We released

a report on women's health last year, because many public health services

focus on women's problems. We recognized that we needed to take a similar

look at men's health issues," said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H.,

director of the Division of Public Health. "This report describes

the unique health issues affecting men, and offers some ideas about what

needs to be done to help men take better care of themselves."

The report

shows some improvement: For example, more men in Georgia are using seat

belts and getting screened for colorectal cancer. Colon and prostate cancer

both declined among men during the 1990s. However, several long-standing

health issues such as unintentional homicide, and tobacco use, continue

to be major problems for men.

Some health

issues affect men differently depending on their age and race. Conditions

that occur later in life, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes

and arthritis are on the rise due to the increase in life expectancy.

Suicide and

substance abuse are more common among young white men, while homicide

affects more young black men. HIV/AIDS is the most common cause of death

among men 35-44, while pneumonia and influenza are most significant among

older men.

The report

calls for more attention to developing or improving services, programs

and policies that address men's health, and recommends that public health

officials work with policy makers, health care providers, community groups

and consumers to see that health care is more specifically tailored to

the social, economic and cultural needs of Georgia's men.

"We have

one excellent opportunity to do this by assisting the Commission on Men's

Health that was established by the 2000 General Assembly," said Sean

Johnson, Men's Health Initiative coordinator for the Division of Public

Health. "We hope to help them develop guidelines that will educate

men in Georgia about better health practices."

For a copy

of the 2000 Report on the Status of Men's Health in Georgia, contact Johnson

at 404-651-7441 or go on the Internet to https://health.state.ga.us/programs/women/pdfs/menshealth00.pdf

* Chronic health conditions

are major causes of death and disability for Georgia men, especially in

later life. Conditions of particular concern are cardiovascular disease,

colon and prostate cancer, diabetes and arthritis.

* Injury is one of the most

significant causes of death among Georgia men aged 18 to 44 years. Unintentional

injury, such as from motor vehicle crashes, is the most common type of

injury among young men, although intentional injuries, such as homicides

and suicides, also cause many deaths in this group. Deaths from falling

are more common among older men.

* Poor behavior choices increase

the risk of many chronic diseases. Some of these risky choices include

physical inactivity, tobacco use, and poor nutritional habits. However,

some healthy behaviors such as seat belt use and colorectal cancer screening

have been increasing among men.

* Infectious diseases such

as gonorrhea, HIV and tuberculosis have a significant effect on the health

of both men and women in Georgia. HIV is the leading cause of death for

men ages 35-44 and is a leading cause of death among men of all ages.

Pneumonia and influenza are among the 10 leading causes of death for men

of all age groups in Georgia, and are most significant among older men.

* Substance abuse is most common

among young white men. An estimated one-fourth of white men aged 18 to

24 have a substance abuse problem and would benefit from treatment.

* Health care utilization is

an important factor in men's health. National research suggests that men

do not use health care services as often or as early as women. Fewer young

men are covered by health insurance than are young women. Also, young

women use health care more regularly because of their need for gynecological

and obstetric care.

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