Do employers recognise the problem?

Some employers, and most local community health projects, are taking steps to raise health awareness among male workers. These are two examples:

• Workplace health programmes – one employer has achieved a high take-up of workplace health initiatives among their mainly male workforce, through a well-publicised wellness-at-work scheme. First of all, the employer carried out a voluntary health survey of the workforce, which revealed that cancer and ischaemic heart disease (inadequate blood supply to the heart) were the two biggest health risks.
• The wellness programme took account of this finding, so that employees are now given a twice-yearly personal health assessment, undertaken by a fully qualified nurse. Tests last around two hours, during which employees complete a general health questionnaire covering stress, alcohol intake, diet and physical activity. Measurements include blood cholesterol, urinalysis and blood pressure. Further tests include flexibility and a computer-based fitness test. The session ends with a discussion on advisable lifestyle changes and individual responsibilities, with a GP referral if advisable. The health scheme also includes smoking cessation and subsidised access to local leisure facilities.
• Tackling obesity – almost one-fifth of adult males are obese. As a chronic condition, obesity requires lifelong treatment, similar to diabetes or hypertension. Some occupational health specialists now ask about waistline measurements as a routine part of their employee health assessments. Waist is as important a measure as weight. One health specialist suggests that ‘anyone with a waistline exceeding 102 centimetres should be considering lifestyle changes’, such as diet and physical exercise.