Crisis in Men’s Health: Research & Resources
by Paul Buffel

Several Canadian organizations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Men’s Health Foundation, and the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, have identified a crisis in men’s health. This article examines the current state of men’s health, the call for national strategies, and available resources aimed at improving outcomes for men and boys.

The Current State of Men’s Health

Each November, the Movember Institute of Men’s Health raises awareness and funds for critical issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Their recent findings show troubling trends:

• 50% of Canadian men will die prematurely, mostly from preventable causes.
• 3 out of 4 suicides are men.
• Men account for 75% of opioid overdoses.

Many of these deaths are linked to lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol, poor diet, and inactivity, as well as avoidable issues like delayed medical care and accidents. Men are less likely to visit doctors, often waiting over six days with symptoms before seeking help. Lower health literacy and societal ideals of masculinity further compound these risks, encouraging men to ignore pain and avoid appearing vulnerable.

Leading Causes of Death and Risk Factors

• Heart disease and cancer remain top killers.
• Unintentional injuries are the third leading cause of death.
• Suicide rates remain disproportionately high for men.
• Risky behaviours: Men are more likely to smoke, drink excessively, and engage in dangerous activities.
• Diet and exercise: Men tend to have poorer diets and lower physical activity levels.
• Health literacy: Men are less likely to understand or use health information effectively.
• Screenings and doctor visits: Men are less likely than women to seek regular checkups, or screenings for treatable conditions.
• Mental health stigma: Despite higher suicide rates, only 30% of mental health service users are men. Many avoid care due to stigma and societal expectations.

The Call for a National Men’s Health Strategy

In a recent episode of CBC’s The Current, former Health Minister Mark Holland shared his own experience with mental health and suicide, calling for a national strategy to address the unique challenges men face.
Dr. John Oliffe, a professor at UBC and Canada Research Chair in Men’s Health Promotion, was also featured. His research explores how masculinity shapes men’s health behaviours and how clinicians can adapt their approach to better engage male patients.

Dr. Oliffe recommends that healthcare providers ask open-ended questions to men who show signs of depression, substance use, or relationship breakdown. These conversations can improve health literacy and lead to earlier interventions. Culturally sensitive and creative engagement strategies are key in making care more accessible and effective for men.

Oliffe and others argue that improving men’s mental health, shifting cultural norms, and increasing access to early care would ultimately save the healthcare system money by reducing the long-term costs of chronic illness and crisis intervention.

Research and Indigenous Health

The 11-year Boys’ and Men’s Health Initiative by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research has generated new knowledge, tools, and programs focused on men’s health. It also helped bring public attention to how masculinity affects health outcomes across the lifespan. However, stigma and underfunding remain barriers, and more research is needed.

Indigenous men face even greater health disparities rooted in colonialism, trauma, and systemic inequities. They experience higher rates of preventable illness, substance use, and suicide. Addressing these issues requires community-led, culturally grounded programs that integrate traditional knowledge and improve access to culturally safe care.

Key Men’s Health Resources

Movember Institute of Men’s Health / ca.movember.com

Promotes awareness and fundraising for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

5 Health Tips

1. Spend time with people who make you feel good.
2. Talk more.
   
3. At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening (start at 45 if you’re at higher risk).
4. Check your testicles regularly in the shower or bath. Know what’s normal for you, so if you notice a change you’ll know to get it checked by your doctor. 
5. Stay physically active.

Men’s Health Foundation / menshealthfoundation.ca

Provides tools like the Men’s Toolbox, which helps assess risk for common men’s health concerns, and a Health Checklist for preventive screenings and lifestyle management.

Indigenous and Métis Men’s Resources

• First Nations and Métis Health Services: Offers traditional and spiritual care at hospitals across Saskatchewan.
• Men of the North (MOTN): A nonprofit supporting men’s mental health, wellness, and community engagement.
• Indigenous-Led Holistic Wellness Centre: A partnership in Saskatoon providing integrated care for people with complex needs.
• Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program: Covers health services not available through other plans, including mental health counselling.
• Hope for Wellness Help Line: A 24/7, toll-free national line with online chat and app-based support. 1.855.242.3310.
• Saskatchewan Prevention Institute: Provides educational resources, including the “Fatherhood: Indigenous Men’s Journeys” DVD, to encourage dialogue and support for Indigenous fathers.

Men’s health in Canada is in crisis, but change is possible. Through public awareness, cultural shifts in how masculinity is understood, early interventions, and better access to health services, men can live longer, healthier lives. Equitable health strategies, especially for Indigenous men, and national policies are crucial to closing the gap and creating lasting change.

Paul Buffel, RMT, Thai Massage practitioner and educator, works within a dynamic clinical practice at the multi-disciplinary Broadway Health Collective in Saskatoon, SK. With over 29 years in practice, he utilizes the Myofascial Cupping Technique™ within his treatments. He is also engaged in matters of regulation through membership with the Council of Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR), has completed the Executive Leadership course for Regulators, and sits on the Saskatchewan College of Massage Therapy Working Group. He brings his experience as past board member and president of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), and the fun of being a board member of Canada’s first Fat Bike Club, Fatlanders Fat Tire Brigade, to enrich his work within the profession, his teaching, and with clients. To contact him, see the Broadway Health Collective display ad on page 10 of the 31.4 Winter 2025 issue of the WHOLifE Journal.