Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to contribute to the statements on men's health. As a GP, I have seen the reality of men's health in practice. We have come a long way in recent years since the publication of the national men's health policy in 2009 but Movember's "The Real Face of Men's Health" report shows that many challenges remain. I do not want to rehash some of the figures already put out here but we know about the premature deaths in the male population, with men dying earlier than women. A stark statistic is that men in deprived areas are 150% more likely to die before 75 than men in the least deprived areas. There is also the whole issue of Travellers' health and issues of gay health where these communities are particularly susceptible to ill health and premature death.

We know many of the causes surrounding these diseases are preventable with the right focus. From my own perspective as a GP, I have witnessed that quiet hesitation before a man decides to open up. It is a salutary reminder of how difficult it can be for some men to report and share. Time, discomfiture discussing personal matters, stoicism, a fear of inadequacy and work concerns are barriers. Some 97% of GPs have spoken to a man with suicidal thoughts in the past year, with only 14% feeling very confident supporting that man. This is not because of lack of care or confidence but because of time pressures and the need for easily accessible care pathways, recognising that suicide remains the single biggest killer of young men in this country, most especially in the Traveller community. I acknowledge my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for her sustained leadership in this area and her announcement of €2 million in new funding for community-based mental health supports, which will make a tangible difference.

The physical picture is equally alarming. Men are three times more likely to die prematurely than women. They drink more, they smoke more, and they carry a high blood pressure burden. With the increased prevalence of diabetes, high cholesterol and poor diet, this is creating a perfect storm. The five leading causes of morbidity and mortality among men are coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary airways disease, lung cancer and suicide. All of these can be mitigated with lifestyle and medical modification. The chronic disease management programmes for secondary prevention are an exemplar in general practice internationally and have been shown to help. The forthcoming national men's action plan 2024 to 2028 offers an opportunity to build and expand programmes like Engage and Men in Mind, targeting high-risk groups and scaling up initiatives such as men's sheds On Feirm Ground and Ahead of the Game, which enables men to take ownership of their health. I must recognise the high morbidity and mortality among the farming community in rural areas, often surrounded by loneliness and an inability to go and seek help.

Encouragingly, three out of four adults now express concern about men's health. That public awareness should help us and empower us towards real change. If we continue to invest in prevention, training and community-based supports, we can deliver better outcomes not only for men, but for their families and for the well-being of Irish society as a whole.

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