Men Urged to Take Charge of Their Health

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, is urging Jamaican men to be proactive in their health and wellness.

She said they should prioritise prevention, pay attention to changes in their bodies and seek professional medical advice before symptoms worsen.

She made the call during the launch of the Blue Stop Series and Wellness Activity at the Ministry’s Trafalgar Road premises in St. Andrew on Saturday (Sept. 26).

Under the slogan: ‘Stop, Check, Act. Man, Your Health Matters,’ the Blue Stop Series aims to create greater awareness, encourage meaningful conversations and inspire Jamaican men to take informed action around their prostate health and other health-related matters.

Minister Grange told the men in attendance that acting early can make a meaningful difference in protecting their health and improving their quality of life.

“Being proactive about your health is not a sign of weakness; it’s an act of responsibility,” she told the men in attendance.

“You have a responsibility because when you get ill, you become other people’s problems too, right? And you want to make sure that you do all that you can to keep healthy and those close to you must also help you to ensure that you keep healthy and that they’re there for you,” she said.

She bemoaned that too often conversations about men’s health happen only after a problem has developed.

“You need to change that culture. Health checks should become part of responsible self-care for men, not something that is done only when a man becomes seriously ill. If you need information, seek it from credible health professionals and trusted sources and most importantly, if you know another man who may be putting off an important health check, encourage him to ask,” she advised.

She noted that the Ministry, through the Bureau of Gender Affairs, is committed to creating an environment where men feel comfortable talking about their health.

“For generations, many men have been encouraged to be strong, macho, to endure discomfort, and to keep personal matters to yourself. You don’t have to keep it to yourself. There are those who can help you and to keep your matters confidential. Your business is your business but there are professionals out there that you can call on. We will help you to access those facilities and those professionals,” she said.

Minister Grange said the Blue Stop series builds on this commitment by creating a platform through which men can be encouraged to “stop, check, and act” decisively when it comes to their health.

She lauded Government Senator, Dr. Elon Thompson, for proposing the Blue Stop Series and commended the partners who have collaborated with the Ministry for the undertaking.

She thanked the health care professionals and partners for the work they continue to do to promote prevention, awareness and early attention to health concerns.

Senator Thompson, in his remarks, said the Blue Stop Series will continue its engagement with men, concluding with International Men’s Day activities on November 19.

“Before this series culminates…do something meaningful for your health and well-being that you have been postponing. Make the appointment, check the blood pressure. Check your blood sugar, know your family medical history.

“If you are in the appropriate age and risk group, speak with your health care provider about prostate cancer screening. Have the conversation you have been avoiding. Spend meaningful time with your children, deal with the issue you keep saying you will deal with one day, because one day will not always be somewhere in the future. Sometimes, one day needs to be today,” he said.

Liaison Officer and Specialist for Jamaica at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, Andre Richards, said the organisation is pleased to collaborate on the Blue Stop Series.

“We look forward to continuing this important conversation, and to working together to ensure that the health and well-being of men and boys remain an important part of Jamaica’s development agenda,” he said.

The launch provided men with access to screening, education, support, wellness services, including blood pressure, sugar, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and body mass index (BMI) assessment.