Men and Masculinities in Health: Norms, Help-Seeking, and Interventions

Vollständiger Abstract

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Masculinities exert a profound influence on men’s health behaviors, health literacy, help-seeking, and engagement with healthcare services. This review examines the relationship between masculine norms and health outcomes by synthesizing theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and intervention strategies across diverse cultural and healthcare settings. It explores key concepts, including masculinity, hegemonic masculinity, multiple masculinities, health literacy, and help-seeking, highlighting how socially constructed gender norms shape attitudes toward risktaking, preventive care, and the utilization of health services. The review demonstrates that adherence to traditional masculine ideals such as self-reliance, emotional restraint, toughness, and stoicism often discourages timely help-seeking, contributes to unhealthy behaviors, and increases vulnerability to preventable morbidity and mortality. Conversely, supportive social networks, gender-sensitive communication, peer engagement, accessible health services, and positive reframing of help-seeking can enhance men’s willingness to seek care. The paper further reviews community-based, healthcare system, and policy-level interventions designed to challenge restrictive masculine norms and promote gender-transformative approaches to health promotion. It also discusses methodological considerations for evaluating masculinity-related health interventions and presents evidence from mental health, reproductive and sexual health, and chronic illness management across different contexts. Finally, the review identifies significant knowledge gaps, particularly the limited evidence from low- and middle-income countries and the need for culturally responsive research addressing diverse health conditions. Strengthening gender-sensitive policies, expanding health literacy, and promoting inclusive models of masculinity are essential for improving men’s health outcomes and reducing health inequities globally. Keywords: Masculinities, Men’s Health, Help-Seeking Behavior, Health Literacy and Gender-Transformative Interventions.