The Impact of Poverty

Poverty as a social determinant of men's health around the world is an emerging concept in the study of men's health and well-being. See a summary of the issue by April M. W. Young, Vice President of the Collins Center for Public Policy presented at the Third Japan-ASEAN Men's Health and Aging Conference in Singapore in December 2008.

Dr. Young, and her co-presenter, Siegfried Meryn, MD, immediate past president of the International Society for Men's Health, titled their presentation "The Global Case for Action: Acknowledging Poverty as a Determinant of Men's Health.”

Drs. Young and Meryn advanced three central points in their presentation:

1. Health disparities related to social inequities should be a global priority;
2. Reducing inequities should be an indicator of progress alongside medical technological advancements in the men’s health field; and,
3. The men's health field can make critical contributions to global structural reform.

Their goal was to inform and convince the attendees, mostly physicians from around the world, that they had both a duty and chance to advance the men's health field as an important participant in global health policy.

Focused attention is needed on health disparities among men—that is, within the category of men. There exist numerous studies comparing men’s and women's health outcomes and gender differentials in life expectancy. While gender comparisons receive a good deal of attention, the presenters noted that the medical and health professions have been overlooking disparities related to such issues as income, race and ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, language group, and other categories that mark social marginality in communities around the world.

It is difficult to quantify the impact of social determinants on men’s health outcomes, as data is frustratingly limited. However, from the information that is available, it is evident that poverty is a powerful social determinant of health among men and that social vulnerability impacts their health outcomes.

Men's under-served health needs pose challenges for health systems and social support structures in all nations. In an increasingly global world, the Collins Center has argued, it makes sense to examine health inequities among men globally.

It will take a concerted effort to address social, economic, political and cultural factors. But by helping the global public health, development, and diplomatic communities to focus on the particular needs and experiences of men—of marginalized men especially—the field of men’s health can make a difference.