Men in Morecambe Bay urged to take action on Covid-19 during Men’s Health Week

Today marks the start of Men’s Health Week and the focus for 2020 is to Take Action on Covid-19.
Today marks the start of Mens Health Week and the focus for 2020 is to Take Action on Covid-19. Photo by Tom MorbeyToday marks the start of Mens Health Week and the focus for 2020 is to Take Action on Covid-19. Photo by Tom Morbey
Today marks the start of Mens Health Week and the focus for 2020 is to Take Action on Covid-19. Photo by Tom Morbey

The awareness campaign, focusing on men’s health, runs every year just before Father’s Day and highlights the health issues that affect men. It also aims to encourage men to seek help and advice when needed.

Run by the Men’s Health Forum, this year’s theme has been inspired by the fact that men are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 than women.

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This is believed to be due to a number of factors, both biological and behavioural.

Dr Rahul Keith, local GP and GP Executive Lead for Quality, Performance and Primary Care Commissioning at Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We aren’t completely sure why more men have died from Covid-19 than women, but one of the options being explored is that women have a stronger immune response, or perhaps it’s due to the fact that men have higher rates of additional conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure which contribute to more severe illness from Covid-19.”

Other possible reasons could be due to the way that men might behave differently to women.

Dr Keith added: “Studies from all over the world have shown that men could be more exposed to Covid-19 because they are less likely to wash their hands, even after going to the toilet. Men are also more likely to downplay the severity of an illness and there is still a bit of a belief among some men that Covid-19 is just like the flu – which it isn’t.

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“And finally, other studies have shown that men can delay seeking medical help, until the illness is more advanced, which again can cause complications when it comes to treatment. We understand that it can be tough for some men to ask for help, whether that’s physical symptoms of Covid-19 or their mental health. Please ask for help when you need it as this can prevent things getting a lot worse.”

The simplest way to protect yourself and your loved ones against Covid-19, no matter your gender, is by washing your hands for 20 seconds regularly. It is also important to follow social distancing guidance and make sure you keep a two metre distance from anyone you don’t share a household with.

If you start exhibiting any of the below symptoms, self-isolate straight away:

* High temperature

* New, continuous cough

* Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus hereFor further information on Men’s Health Week, go here

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