The development of issues surrounding men's health care is many decades behind a very strong and successful women's health care and liberation movement. Men also experience significant physical and emotional gender specific health risks and change as they age. Although there is some history of study and treatment of the aging male in Europe this long ignored phenomenon, now referred to as the Male Menopause or Andropause, has only recently captured the interest of the North American medical community. This new medical specialty is referred to as Andrology.
In recognition of the very limited understanding of the aging male the United Nations through the World Health Organization organized the first World Conference on the Aging Male in 1998. The second such event under similar sponsorship was held earlier this year in Geneva and attracted interested Professionals and Researchers from around the world. The momentum continues to build and a third world conference is planned for Berlin in 2002. This years conference was the catalyst for a small group of interested professionals to develop a vision for an institute dedicated to the advancement of men's health issues. Our vision is to create an organization that will be the leading authority and international information crossroads on the aging male. Through a clinical practice it will also deliver significant quality of life value to its target market clients.
From this vision, ANDROC Men's Health Institute was formed. Two associates are medical doctors in British Columbia focusing on the Andropause and proactive health maintenance and treatment for the aging male.
ANDROC will develop along two streams, an institute and a clinical practice.
Institute
ANDROC men's health Institute will become a crossroads for emerging scientific study and findings on the aging male. It will host the sharing of learned study, broker research grants to qualified facilities and professionals, sponsor research, provide education and communication and host and manage an extensive electronic library of information and resources on the topic. Through its standards, concentration of knowledge and cadre of respected professional "associates" it will be the place to be for the most up to date knowledge on the science of the aging male.
Clinics
From established clinics in British Columbia, ANDROC Men's Health Clinics will offer clinical services through an expanding network of purpose built and associated medical facilities. Services include: