A programme aimed at educating health workers about men's health will be launched by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) next year. The course will be one of a number of initiatives in 2007 to raise awareness among men about their health.
The RCSI says "it is widely recognised" that men die on average six years younger than women and have higher death rates at all ages and for all leading causes of death.
"Men tend to present later with problems which makes it much more difficult to treat them," says Chanel Watson, of the RCSI, who is co-ordinating the programme. "They have a very bad record - when something goes wrong they delay in getting it checked out."
A report in 2004, Men's Health in Ireland, included recommendations to increase training and awareness of men's health and to review urgently the resources for training and research. Subsequently a strategy group, working with the Department of Health, has been examining the men's health issue. It is due to make recommendations shortly. It is understood the group has been liaising with various organisations, including the Irish Cancer Society.
As part of this, the RCSI will run the men's health education programme. The programme will be a one-year, one-day-a-week course for postgraduates, leading to a higher diploma in men's health, or a two-year MSc. The RCSI said it was geared mainly towards people working directly or indirectly with men's health.
Ms Watson said the ideal number for the course would be 15-20 people. She said there would be strong emphasis on developing men's health research and ill health prevention. It would look at what resources are available in men's health. The programme will also draw on external agencies and individuals with experience in men's health.
Details of the course content have been drawn up, but the start date has not yet been determined.
For further details, contact Chanel Watson at tel: 01-4022706 or e-mail: chanelwatson@rcsi.ie.