November. For many it signals the start of the holiday season, but it’s also the month that men all over the world will grow a moustache. Why? An annual event known as Movember (Mo=moustache + November) encourages guys to grow moustaches as a way of raising awareness about men’s health issues. The effort is coordinated by the Movember Foundation, which began in 2003 and has since gained over five million supporters. According to this foundation, men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. This is why they hope to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 percent.
The Movember Foundation focuses on the following:
Knowing that prostate cancer rates will double in the next 15 years and testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50, the Movember Foundation works to give men the tools they need before, during and after cancer treatment. Rather than focusing solely on finding a cure, they’re committed to improving quality of life.
Did you know that three out of every four suicides are men? And, as I discuss here, the World Health Organization reports that more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which can become a serious and debilitating health problem. The Movember Foundation thinks it’s time to have an honest conversation about mental health, and they’re creating new approaches designed to work for men.
How does growing a moustache during the month of November help solve these problems? The idea behind Movember is that your moustache acts as a sort of awareness ribbon, drawing attention to men’s health. The Movember Foundation believes that growing a moustache “can inspire donations, conversations, and real change.” They suggest making it fun by offering to dye your “Mo” a crazy color and letting the highest donor pick the color, or by enlisting your friends and family so you can compare results (and compete for donations). You could get all the guys at work in on the Movember action by starting one big team for your company or organizing into multiple teams for a little friendly competition.
Before you start growing a ‘stache, you may (understandably) want to know where the money you raise is going. Here are just a few of the many projects currently being funded by the Movember Foundation in the United States. Click here to see the full list.
If you like the idea of bringing attention to men’s health issues but can’t grow a moustache, you can participate in Movember by moving your body. In setting a goal for the month of November—running or walking 200 miles, swimming or rowing 50 miles, or anything that challenges you—and raising funds along the way, you’ll be doing good for your body and for the cause. You can do this as part of a team, so if you already have a group of people you exercise with regularly, consider roping them in for Movember.
As an integrative physician, I’ve worked hard to shine a spotlight on the importance of men’s health. It’s why I’ve written so extensively about issues like heart health and mental performance. It’s also why I support the Movember Foundation, and I encourage you to do the same.
Wondering what others areas of your health could use your attention? Consider taking my Optimal Men’s Health quiz. It’s designed to help you determine your next best step to getting healthier and closer to winning.
Myles Spar, MD, MPH is board-certified in Internal Medicine and in Integrative Medicine. As a clinician, teacher and researcher on faculty of two major medical centers, he has led the charge for a more proactive, holistic and personalized approach to care that focuses on cutting edge technology and preventative care. Dr. Spar has traveled with the NBA, presented a TEDx Talk, appeared on Dr. Oz, and been featured in publications such as the Men’s Journal and the Los Angeles Times.
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