Lifestyle Choice

The CNA attempts to provide an assessment of carer needs with signposting of sources of help and support.

International Men’s Health Week

10-15 June 2024

Men’s Health Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing issues that affect men around the world.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage men to discover about the health and wellbeing issues that affect them. We are proud to support this annual campaign and have a range of sessions and information throughout the week at Aberystwyth University.

On Thursday 13 June, come along to the University Sports Centre where key local services - Hywel Dda Health Community Outreach team, Papyrus and Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) – will have information stands and guidance for support.

• Hywel Dda University Health Board – the community outreach team will be able to share information on health care services, talk about health and wellbeing, connect you to support that can help you.
• Papyrus – is a national charity that provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person.
• Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) – can provide advice and guidance around your own or someone else’s substance use.

The services will be available between 9:30am-2:00pm (near Sports Centre reception) for all staff, students, and visitors on the day.

As always, the Sports Centre, will have a full programme of various classes during the week, along with access to the gym, pool and climbing wall.

Key men’s health statistics

• In the UK, 1:5 men die before the age of 65. Understanding the changes to improve these statistics are key.
• Focussing on prevention, not waiting for issues to get to crisis point, targeting information to men and boys and removing the sigma around asking for help.[i]
• Studies indicate that men are less likely to visit a GP or seek help with illness due to perceived social construction that healthcare is a feminine concern[ii].
• Further studies demonstrate that men are also less likely to be aware of cancer symptoms, less likely to read information related to medication or access medication via the internet to avoid going to see the GP
• 37% of all deaths in the UK are related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) with approximately 4 million of UK males being affected[iii] - twice the rate of cancer or dementia
• 1:6 of all CVD is related to obesity, with a quarter of all men having this high-risk factor.
• Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death[iv] - men tend to smoke more than women in general. 86% of all deaths by cancer are related to smoking.
• Just over three out of four suicides (76%) are by men and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 (Reference: ONS)
• 5% of men in the UK are suffering from one of the common mental health disorders.
• Men are nearly three times more likely than women to become alcohol dependent (8.7% of men are alcohol dependent compared to 3.3% of women - Health and Social Care Information Centre)
• Men are more likely to use (and die from) illegal drugs.
• Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women. Only 36% of referrals to IAPT (Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies) are men.

Pilates and Prostate – Rachel Hubbard

Prostate cancer affects 1:8 white men and 1:4 black men in the UK during their lifetime, making it one of the most common male cancers – and yet, 44% of men stated they did not know where it was, and 74% admitted that they did not know what it does[v].

The prostate's location beneath the bladder and around the urethra can lead to issues such as a slow urine flow, difficulty initiating or completing urination, and a sense of incomplete emptying, often accompanied by urge or dribble incontinence—topics not easily broached.

Prostate cancer can have familial tendencies (if your mother or sister have had breast cancer for example), sometimes there are links to a high dietary fat intake. All of these can help you work out if you are at risk, and you can go to your GP for a simple blood test to confirm.

As well as the symptoms listed above, men may also experience back or pelvic pain - and it is often the back pain that prompts men to join a Pilates classes.

Gomes (2017/2016) highlighted Pilates' effectiveness compared to conventional pelvic floor muscle strength training systems, and combining Pilates with specific pelvic floor training, improved results. Pelvic floor issues can be a concern following surgery, and we may find that incontinence problems can persist for months post-surgery. Maintaining a strong pelvic floor before and after the operation can make a significant difference to recovery.

Beyond addressing incontinence (for both men and women), Pilates contributes to improved self-esteem, enhanced quality of life, increased core and back strength, improved gait, and better balance. You may enter a Pilates class with a "bad back" while silently grappling with incontinence issues.

Pilates sessions are available at the University Sports Centre, contact sports@aber.ac.uk for more information.

[i] https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mens-health-manifesto

[ii] https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/key-data-understanding-health-and-access-services

[iii] https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/research/heart-statistics/bhf-cvd-statistics-uk-factsheet.pdf

[iv] https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7648/#:~:text=Smoking%20is%20a%20leading%20cause,adults%20aged%2035%20and%20over.

[v] https://issuu.com/menshealthforum/docs/pforprostate_issu

The University has introduced a cycle to work scheme that allows you to lease a bicycle through the University over a period of 12-18 months (maximum value of bicycle and safety equipment is £3,500). You then have the option to purchase the bicycle at the end of the hire period. For further details please view the Cycle Scheme website. For frequently asked questions please view Cyclescheme FAQs , or alternatively contact Jean Glennie on ex. 2032 or jlg@aber.ac.uk.

Aberystwyth University Sports Centre is dedicated to providing a wide range of services and facilities to enhance the fitness and well-being of its members.

Membership

The Sports Centre offers staff a discounted membership to access a huge range of activities.

Classes

A wide variety of classes are available and the timetable is designed to maximise the opportunity for staff to access classes throughout the day, and in particular at lunchtimes and after work.

Swimming Pool

Following a recent refurbishment the pool is normally available for general use throughout the day from 7.30am to 9.15pm, classes are also provided by the Centre’s fully trained staff.

Relax

Why not relax after a long day in a Nordic Saunarium?

Gym

The Wellness System, the UK's state-of-the-art fitness software package, has now been installed to upgrade and support the extremely popular Technogym equipped facility.

Use a Bike

Having recently obtained grant money from the Community Chest to purchase 2 Trek T10 cycles, staff are welcome to use the bikes to commute to meetings on campus, or cycle in their breaks.

Personal Training

Professional advice and a specific training program tailored for your individual attention is available from the Centre's personal Trainers and can help you to reach your fitness goal.

As Part of its environmental responsibility the University encourages its staff to make use of environmentally friendly initiatives such as car-sharing which has become increasingly popular in recent years. The 'Going My Way' car-sharing website gives information about finding someone with a car who could be going your way, or sharing the cost of transport.

Aberystwyth University Sports Centre is delighted to offer a new partnership with Baker Street Natural Healing Centre that illustrates our continuing commitment to enriching your fitness experience. All Aberystwyth University Sports Centre Members are entitled to a 10% discount on all of the treatments listed on the Sports Centre Website. In order to access the special offer please contact Diane on 01970 62 1500 or e-mail sports@aber.ac.uk for further information.

Our award winning Arts Centre is the largest and busiest arts centre in the whole of Wales. It offers a wide-ranging programme of events and activities including drama, classical music, dance, world music, film, literature readings, live bands, opera and comedy. For more information about what's on please visit the Arts Centre website.

Special offers for University staff include discounted tickets on early evening cinema screening during the week - the perfect way to unwind after a busy day! The current cinema progamme can be found on the 'What's On' webpage. Or learn a new skill - everything from drama classes and belly dancing to photography and pottery classes are on offer as part of the busy courses programme, with something to suit all ages and abilities.

Also, don't forget to visit the popluar cafés and bars, which are open seven days a week and are ideal for coffee and lunch breaks, or for meeting friends and family. The Bookshop, and Craft & Design Shop offer opportunites to buy both gifts and treats, and everything from the latest fiction to academic text books and research materical.

A new environmental sustainable website provides information and links to AU's activites. The site includes how you can play your part, links to departmental environmental research and initiatives within AU. There are also links to the Estates Department 'Waste' website, created in part as a communications campaign to save energy and water consuption. 

AU has a range of policies to enable members of staff to enjoy a better balance between work and personal needs, e.g. Flexible Working Policy and a range of Leave policies such as Adoption, Maternity, Parental Leave and Special Leave.  

Risk Assessment for Expectant Mothers