The brave participants in Northern Health’s Mr. Movember campaign…you can vote for your favourite ‘stache online

Prince George, BC – Pencil-thin, Fu Manchu, handlebar – there are all kinds of moustaches taking shape as men across Northern BC embrace Movember.

Northern Health is hoping to capitalize on this Month of Man with some initiatives to get men thinking and talking about not only prostate cancer, but their health, in general.

In response to a 2010 report from the Chief Medical Health Officer showing that men in Northern BC had higher rates of cancer, suicide, occupational deaths, and chronic disease, Northern Health launched a Men’s Health Program.  (click here to go to the website)

New to the program, and just in time for Movember, is the MANual – a men’s health survival guide.  The MANual provides information for men of all ages about nutrition, active living and health screenings needed at various life stages. 

The 2010 report also found men in Northern BC accessed health care at a lower rate than their counterparts in other parts of the province.  The Northern Health initiative is meant to raise awareness about the need for men to think about their health for themselves, their families, and their communities.