Life expectancy of Canadians continues to decline
for the third consecutive year
TORONTO, July 15,
2024 /CNW/ - Canadian men are dying too young.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 75,854 men died before
their seventy-fifth birthday1 – meaning almost half
(43%) of all male deaths in Canada
that year were premature.
In 2022, nearly 3 in 4 deaths (72%) of all Canadian men were
health related. While the current state of men's health is
alarming, the future trajectory is only set to worsen. For example,
prostate cancer cases are set to double by 20402.
It's time to advocate for greater investment in men's health and
prioritize the men in our lives.
Top statistics for Canadian male deaths under 75 in
2022
- Death by suicide ranked as the second highest cause of death
for men aged 15-54 totaling 1,185 deaths. On average three men
between the ages of 15-54 died by suicide daily.1
- Malignant neoplasms (cancers) were the number one cause of
death for men aged 45-74 totaling 20,170 deaths. On average two men
between the ages of 45-74 died from cancer every
hour.1
- Nearly half (48%) of all death under 75 were caused by
malignant neoplasms (cancers), making it the number one cause of
premature death among Canadian men.1
Men's health charity Movember is dedicated to helping men live
longer, healthier and happier lives. It has funded over 1,320
health programs investing millions of dollars into treatments,
research and therapies in spaces like mental health and suicide
prevention, testicular cancer and prostate cancer. In Canada, it has funded over 200 prostate and
testicular cancer programs and 63 mental health programs.
However, given the scale and prevalence of men's health issues,
more needs to be done. Men's health is not being looked at as a
significant issue. While the programs being run by organizations
like Movember are effective, it's not enough. We need to see
greater investments in men's health practices – specifically
practices focused on preventative care – to change the current
outcomes. Recognizing health problems early, is always one of the
most effective ways to heal faster or even avoid illness
altogether, making investment in preventative care a priority.
Everyone has a man in their lives that they care about. When
these men are well, the benefits ripple through relationships,
families, and communities. But when these men are unwell and
unsupported, the ripples become weights that impact everyone.
"I'm a father, a son and a brother. I've been a first responder
for 32 years and I'm proud to have worn many hats with British Columbia Fire Services. Any time spent
in a first responder role will take its toll on an individual, let
alone 32 years," shares Steve
Farina. "I started in fire services when I was just 19 years
old. From that age I began "filling my backpack" as we call it,
with pebbles, rocks and boulders (experiences from traumatic
calls). Soon the backpack wasn't big enough and I had to upgrade to
a larger backpack, then a rucksack and when there were no sizes
left, it was my body that carried the trauma. The trauma came home
with me because I didn't allow myself or know how to process my
emotions and they would pop up unexpectedly in forms of anger,
frustration or lack of patience. For decades this was my reality. I
was taking care of people in my work life but not my home life and
especially not myself. I look back and there were so many times
with my family where, as much as I tried to be present, I wasn't. I
missed a lot. I was focused on work that held my attention outside
of my family unit and my time with them consequently suffered. The
best version of myself was sacrificed."
Steve Farina is a man
who's seen how neglecting his health impacted people he loves,
namely his daughter. After joining the BC Fire Service when he was
19 and spending 28 years in the field, the quality of his mental
health was in a very poor state. In 2019 after his marriage fell
apart, he finally sought help and enrolled in Shoulder to Shoulder,
a Movember funded first responder resiliency program.
"I am but one example of a man who felt shame in seeking help
and weak for not being able to cope on his own," he continues.
"There are internal thoughts that echo through my head "There's
something wrong with me", "I am broken", "I am alone in my pain".
This shame and fear of reaching out don't only apply to mental
health. Men will often hide physical health symptoms and much like
emotions, they mask physical pain by internalizing it. For men, it
is being brought up in a society that frowns upon emotions unless
it's anger. Men are not given permission to cry or grieve, they
must be strong, steady, reliable."
He is a man who waited years to address his health problems,
partly due to a lack of resources. Not only did he suffer, but his
relationships with loved ones were strained as they felt the ripple
effects of his poor health.
Movember is encouraging Canadians to be part of the
solution. Share your story to help show the full impacts
of men's health and help create action to benefit us all.
About Movember
Since 2003, Movember has built a global men's health movement,
funding more than 1,300 projects around the world, challenging the
status quo, shaking up men's health research and transforming the
way that health services reach and support men. Movember has taken
on three of the biggest health issues affecting men: prostate
cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide, with
unwavering determination.
Movember leads the charge in encouraging men to adopt healthier
behaviours, challenging health systems, and confronting gender
norms to reduce health inequalities and save more lives. Because
improving men's health can have a profoundly positive impact on
women, families, and society. To learn more, please visit
Movember.com.
1
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Statistics
Canada. Table 13-10-0394-01 Leading causes of
death, total population, by age group
|
2
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https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00651-2/fulltext
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For further information or media inquiries please contact
Taffin Sekulin, PR Manager at Movember Canada at
taffin.sekulin@movember.com.
SOURCE Movember Canada