Milken Institute School of Public Health Poster Presentations (Marvin Center & Video)

2016 Survey of State-Level Health Resources for Men and Boys: Identification of an Inadvertent and Remediable Service and Health Disparity

Poster Number

95

Document Type

Poster

Status

Graduate Student - Masters

Abstract Category

Health Policy and Management

Keywords

Health Disparity, Health Care Issues, Men's Health, Health Policy Issues, Health Communication

Publication Date

Spring 2018

Abstract

This survey evaluated resources available to men and boys at the state level including state public health departments (SPHDs), state agencies, and governor's offices. Most of the resources and programs are found in the SPHDs and administer state initiated and federally funded health programs to provide services and protection to a broad range of populations. However, many men's health advocates believe that SPHDs have failed to create equivalent services for men and boys, inadvertently creating a health disparity. Men's Health Network conducts a survey of state resources, including those found in SPHDs, every two years to identify resources available for men and women, determine the extent of any disparity, and establish a relationship with SPHD officials. Data were obtained from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. An analysis of the 2016 survey data indicates that there are few resources allocated and a lack of readily available information on health and preventive care created specifically for men and boys. The data observed that most health information intended for men and boys was scarce among states or oftentimes included on websites that primarily focused on women’s health. A potential result of this is a loss of engagement with appropriate healthcare providers due to a lack of information. This study continues to validate the health disparity between health outcomes for women and men and continues to highlight the need for better resource allocation, outreach, and health programs specifically tailored to men and boys in order to improve overall community well-being.

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2016 Survey of State-Level Health Resources for Men and Boys: Identification of an Inadvertent and Remediable Service and Health Disparity

This survey evaluated resources available to men and boys at the state level including state public health departments (SPHDs), state agencies, and governor's offices. Most of the resources and programs are found in the SPHDs and administer state initiated and federally funded health programs to provide services and protection to a broad range of populations. However, many men's health advocates believe that SPHDs have failed to create equivalent services for men and boys, inadvertently creating a health disparity. Men's Health Network conducts a survey of state resources, including those found in SPHDs, every two years to identify resources available for men and women, determine the extent of any disparity, and establish a relationship with SPHD officials. Data were obtained from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. An analysis of the 2016 survey data indicates that there are few resources allocated and a lack of readily available information on health and preventive care created specifically for men and boys. The data observed that most health information intended for men and boys was scarce among states or oftentimes included on websites that primarily focused on women’s health. A potential result of this is a loss of engagement with appropriate healthcare providers due to a lack of information. This study continues to validate the health disparity between health outcomes for women and men and continues to highlight the need for better resource allocation, outreach, and health programs specifically tailored to men and boys in order to improve overall community well-being.