Men's health and masculinities in the Brazilian comprehensive healthcare policy for men: a bibliographical review

Abstract

This article, based on gender theory, reviews the literature about masculinities in collective and public health journals for the period 2005-2011. The principal themes found coincide with the priorities established by the Brazilian National Comprehensive Healthcare Policy for Men: men's access to health services, sexuality, reproductive health, violence and the main challenges to men's health. These themes are based on a traditional type of hegemonic masculinity, which not only compromises men's health, but is not the only type of masculinity that exists in society. These different masculinities are involved in the process of disease and health, and are important in promoting men's involvement with health services.