Championing Men’s Health in North Dakota – Talking About Men’s Health
In the United States, men have a life expectancy nearly 5.5 years less than women. In North Dakota, this gap is even wider, with men predicted to live an average of 7.8 years less than women. This is partly due to men prioritizing their health less than women.
In response to this disparity, the Men’s Health Program was established at the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services in October 2021. The program aims to improve men’s and boys’ health by increasing access to education, healthcare, and behavioral health services statewide.
The program’s first year focused on creating connections and partnerships at the state, local, and national levels, while also conducting educational webinars and promoting fatherhood engagement. In the second year, efforts were scaled up to incorporate men’s health priorities into existing programs, introducing projects such as the Data Dashboard and the Fatherhood Experience Survey.
Additionally, the program is creating a living document outlining best practices for engaging men in health promotion initiatives. These efforts not only promote better health in North Dakota but also contribute to the national emphasis on men and boys’ health.
