In 1994, MH readers helped us push Congress to launch National Men’s Health Week. Now it’s time to petition the White House. Our grievance: federal indifference to your health.

The death gap and the gender-specific maladies that bring men down are unacceptable. Go to whitehouse.gov to sign our petition to open, and fund, an Office of Men’s Health; 100,000 signatures by Dec. 16 guarantees a response.

Your mother, wife, husband, neighbors, in-laws, kids, neighbor’s kids and anyone else who loves you should sign too. You deserve it.

Nicholas Grieves

More than that, you need it. A dedicated federal department could address the specific health needs of men, such as their higher risk of dying prematurely from avoidable conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes; their heightened odds of addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling; and their higher risk of harming themselves and others.

Of course, these problems negatively affect women, children, other men, and the economy as a whole.

Evidence suggests that men tend to resist asking for help but will accept assistance from people they trust. An Office of Men’s Health could create messaging about men and food, men and work, and men’s access to paid family leave in the workplace.

It could inspire researchers and doctors to change the way people think of predominantly male causes of death—including, for example, suicide. Four times more men than women take their own lives; yet research and intervention in suicide and depression—especially as it manifests in men—remain poorly funded.

We need your help to make this important initiative succeed. So sign the petition, then share why or for whom you are signing on social media using the hashtags #forallmen and #officeofmenshealth.

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The Editors of Men's Health The editors of Men's Health are your personal conduit to the top experts in the world on all things important to men: health, fitness, style, sex, and more.

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