A third of men in UAE has health issues

Dubai: One in three men suffers from serious health issues in the UAE and is less likely to seek quick medical help which leads to serious complications, according to a leading doctor.

"The big picture is that deaths from specific men's health issues are not falling," said Dr Nabeel Mitry at the launch on Tuesday of UAE Men's Health Alliance, a non-profit charitable network.

He said according to the latest UN study, men in the UAE can expect a shorter lifespan of 77 years, compared to women at 79 years. "More men will die due to the top 10 causes of disease," he said, noting that action needs to be taken fast.

The Alliance will work under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Health Authority Abu Dhabi, and help educate men to overcome social taboos in seeking help. It will focus on key health issues affecting men, ranging from heart disease and diabetes to "often overlooked" conditions as erectile dysfunction and psychological issues like depression.

Dr Mitry said the UAE has the most advanced health services, but men's issues need to be diagnosed and treated faster.

He said a third of the male population in the UAE suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). "Men are less likely to seek help due to embarrassment and because of social taboos." The doctor said ED is an early indicator of serious health issues.

Men also do not seek help for depression, which again affects a third of the population here because of the tag of "being crazy", he said. "Depression has a dramatic effect on your work and your home life, but men still tend to resist help," he said. The education campaign will start in July until October and will cover the main cities. A helpline with an 800 number will also be set up soon.