Men’s sheds and their benefits to wellbeing

Some facts about men’s health are fairly well known:

• On average, men die 3.7 years earlier than women
• Men go to the doctor less than women
• Men are 67% more likely to die from the common cancers that affect both sexes – with one exception
• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer amongst men and the cancer that causes most deaths amongst men over 85. But men are 37% more likely to die from cancer overall – and 67% more likely to die than women from the cancers that men and women share (excluding sex-specific cancers and breast cancer):
• The exception is breast cancer which still affects women in far greater numbers. But it is increasing amongst men.
• Men are nearly twice as likely as women to die prematurely from diabetes.
• Diabetes isn’t often thought of as a particularly male health problem. But men are more likely to get it, twice as likely to suffer complications such as foot ulcers, more likely to require an amputation and twice as likely to die prematurely. And the prevalence of diabetes is higher in Wales than any other UK country.
• Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of premature mortality (between ages 30 and 70 years) in Europe.
• Retirement has been linked to changes in men’s lifestyles, including lower levels of physical activity, heightened stress and increased tobacco and alcohol consumption. Care and loneliness are also important factors for men’s health in older age. Older men are less likely to live alone than women, but those who do so may be at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and lack of social contact.
• The POSITIVE is that 4 out of 5 men in the UK live to over 65 – but we still need to improve.
• Even if you don’t have any health concerns, reading up on these issues can help someone you know, or yourself at a later stage – It’s good to talk!