Health information for men and especially fathers on the German-language Internet

Context and project background

Men's health is a highly relevant topic for men and fathers. Men focus much less on their own health care than women, they lead riskier lives, eat more unhealthily and are exposed to a higher risk of suicide.  At the same time, we have realised that there are still far too few offers in this area. In particular, we believe that health information programmes, which form the basis for health literacy, need to be expanded. In our view, there is a great need for an independent programme aimed specifically at boys, men and fathers. This service should focus on the area of psychosocial health, as defined in the WHO Ottawa Charter.

The Exchange project "Health information for men and especially fathers on the Internet" is also based on the fact that, as organisations that work with men and fathers in particular, we are increasingly communicating with our clients via our websites. This is due to several factors:

• Our clients generally like to find information on the internet about topics that interest them.
• Our clients generally tend to use the strategy of helping themselves first when problems arise and therefore also obtain health information on their own initiative.
• Our clients want to obtain the health information they need when they have time to do so. This is often at the weekend, when our journal services are usually not available.
• Our clients value discretion and therefore turn to the internet as a source of health information.

We see the problem with this strategy of obtaining health information in several dimensions:

• Many websites that offer health information for men and fathers are commercially orientated and therefore do not offer neutral information.
• Many websites that offer health information for men and fathers do not offer the possibility of contacting organisations that provide expert advice.

As organisations that offer counselling and support for men and fathers, we would like to work on the challenges of providing health information for men and fathers as part of this Exchange project. Challenges associated with the preparation of health information for men and fathers on our websites. This includes the following topics:

• Increasing health literacy[1]
• Reliability of the information
• Client-orientated preparation
• User-friendliness
• Resources required
• Contact options to specialists
• Accessibility

Aim of the project

The project has four objectives:

• We improve the quality of our work through a professional exchange on our professional concepts for health information for men and fathers.
• We improve our health information for men and fathers on our websites.
• We develop an overview catalogue of necessary measures based on the topics mentioned and the associated resources required for the expansion of health information for men and fathers on our websites.
• We are developing a network in which the basis has been created through the joint work on this project. This will enable us to develop a follow-up project that will create intellectual output on our burning issues.

Activities and methods

A steering group responsible for monitoring will be set up. This is made up of representatives from all participating organisations.

Each participating organisation will host a meeting for a professional exchange.

Expected results

Based on the objectives and the associated participants and measures, we expect the following results

1. Gaining knowledge about the necessary conditions for expanding health information for men and fathers on our websites (catalogue of measures and associated necessary resources).
2. Sharpening of the specific health information services for men and fathers on our websites
3. Basic quality criteria for health information for men and fathers on our websites
4. Establishment of an international network for co-operation

Long-term benefits

In addition to improving the quality of our training courses, we see the establishment of a sustainable network for future collaborations as a long-term result. These should serve to realise projects with an intellectual output.

Funding

For financial support, we want to apply for funding from the EU's Erasmus+ programme as a strategic partnership in the field of adult education. This essentially covers travel costs and a lump sum for organisational costs, but cannot finance any actual personnel costs. There are also no room costs: it is assumed that the meetings will be hosted by one of the partners. However, the grant can provide considerable support for regular meetings.

Time frame

The project runs from 01.10.2020 to 31.09.2022 (24 months).

Perspective

Subsequently, a "Strategic Partnership to Support Innovation" could be developed from the joint focal points that emerge from the exchange. There is considerably more funding for this, including personnel costs. The aim is to publish intellectual outputs; this could also be the transfer of best practices from one country to the other partner countries. Based on current ideas, this could be, for example, the development of a joint web portal for men's health in German-speaking countries, or joint quality standards for the content of corresponding programmes.