Social and political aspects of men's health

Men's health has become an issue of significant public concern in recent years. Why and how men's health has become a matter that is 'taken seriously' is reviewed. This is followed by an extended discussion of the relationship between specific features of men's health and the social construction of masculinity. The article explores and critically evaluates strategies that challenge key elements of 'hegemonic masculinity', especially those that attempt to reconstruct masculinity via appeal to the notion of androgyny. The article concludes with discussion of social and political questions relevant to the pursuit of improved health for men in a period of major economic and social change.