Mustaches for men's health: Hannover runs on Men's Day!

Mustaches for men's health: Hannover runs on Men's Day!

On November 19th it's that time again: International Men's Day is just around the corner! This special day, which should not be confused with Father's Day, draws attention to men's health and challenges common role models. As NDR.de reports, the mustache has established itself as a symbol of men's health, especially through the “Movember” movement, which encourages men to to grow a mustache in November to raise awareness of health challenges.

In Hanover, this day is celebrated with a special event. The Hannover Gymnastics Club organizes a “Schnubbi" run, in which the participants not only appear in sportswear, but also have to wear a mustache - be it real, glued on or as a mask. For those who don't have a natural mustache, there is even a "glue-on Schnubbi". The run stretches over five kilometers through the city and is intended to support the Movember Foundation, which supports men's health research.

International Men's Day: A look into history

International Men's Day, also known as Men's Health Day, was started in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 and has since spread worldwide. Every year a motto is chosen, which this year is “positive male role models”. This day is intended to draw attention not only to the health challenges men face, but also to the disadvantages they face. The life expectancy of men worldwide is on average 70.5 years, which is around five years less than the life expectancy of women. In addition, around 73 percent of all suicides in Germany are men, which underlines the urgency of the issue.

Another important aspect of Men's Day is the confrontation with toxic masculinity and the associated role models. Clichés that portray men as the “stronger sex” and tell them not to show emotions are being critically examined. It's time to dismantle these outdated ideas and promote new, healthy models of masculinity.

Movember: A symbol of men's health

The Movember Foundation plays a central role in raising awareness about men's health. She supports research projects on topics such as prostate and testicular cancer as well as mental health and suicide prevention. The foundation's mission is to increase men's life expectancy and raise awareness of health risks. As NDR.de reports, the mustache has now become a symbol of this movement and is worn by many men as a sign of commitment to their health.

Overall, International Men's Day is an important opportunity to talk about the challenges and opportunities in men's health. It is a call to question old role models and find new ways to promote men's health and well-being. The mustache, which in this context is so much more than just a fashion accessory, becomes a symbol of change and the need to openly discuss men's health.