Provide names of other journalists involved.
Sara Martin was my editor on the piece
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Jun-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
This article took the social problem of men tending to ignore care of their health and showed how psychologists’ research is revealing ways to help men take better care of themselves and extend their lives. Essentially, studies find that some traditional notions of masculinity portray concern about one’s health as wimpy, but suggest that tapping into aspects of masculinity related to self-reliance and responsibility can get men into the doctor’s office. Capitalizing on these findings could help to turn the tide of men avoiding health care and dying younger.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I used and cited Journal articles from: American Journal of Men’s Health, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, Journal of Counseling Psychology, Health Psychology, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, and Journal of Crosscultural Nursing. I also read and cited Websites including: National Institute of Mental Health’s 2003 “Real Men, Real Depression” campaign (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2003/nimh-launches-first-public-health-education-campaign-to-reach-men-with-depression.shtml), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website (http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc050608.htm), and the Quebec Center for Suicide Prevention website (http://www.cpsquebec.ca/). The sidebar drew from Will Courtenay’s book “Dying to Be Men: Psychosocial, Environmental, and Biobehavioral Directions in Promoting the Health of Men and Boys” (Routledge, 2011).
Explain types of human sources used.
I talked with psychology researchers and university faculty who specialize in men’s health issues, public health investigators, and social workers and psychologists who counsel men.
Results:
I found, through my research for this story, that contrary to long-held psychological theory, there are actually aspects of masculinity that can propel men to seek health care–the key, mainly according to studies of African American men–is to tap into these particular aspects of masculinity in personal conversations and public health messages to men.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
We did not run any corrections or clarifications but the story was picked up by several blogs: Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/06/06/why-do-men-die-earlier-healthcare-masculinity/ American Men’s Studies Association: http://mensstudies.org/?p=3624 The Good Men’s Project: http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/why-men-die-young-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
In investigating this kind of public health piece, start by reading loads of journal articles in your area of interest, and then talk to numerous experts in the area. In the midst of one of these conversations, your article focus will suddenly pop up, and you’ll say to yourself, “People don’t know this! This is the angle.” Then pursue that angle relentlessly.