THE second annual Penang Men’s Health Day was successfully held recently at Design Village Outlet Mall, drawing 187 men for health screenings, most of whom were of working age. Findings revealed that participants were generally overweight, nearly one-fifth had high blood pressure, and almost 30% were advised to continue monitoring their health.
State executive councillor for Youth, Sports and Health, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, noted that men often overlook their health due to demanding work schedules and a lack of initiative to undergo regular check-ups.
“The Penang government hopes that through community health screenings like Men’s Health Day, more men can detect risks early and receive timely treatment, thereby protecting their own and their families’ well-being. We are very grateful for the contributions of all medical staff, partners and volunteers, whose support has allowed this meaningful initiative to continue expanding,” Gooi said.
The event, held on Nov 15 from 8.30am to 3.30pm, was jointly organised by the Penang government, the Ministry of Health, Boston Scientific and Design Village, with support from Hospital Pulau Pinang, Hospital Seberang Jaya and the Health Promotion Team of the State Health Department. A total of 52 medical officers, 28 personnel from Boston Scientific, and three representatives from Design Village facilitated on-site education on eight cardiology and urology screenings, along with information on stroke and epilepsy.
Of the 187 participants, 83 were Malays, 70 Chinese, 18 Indians and 16 from other ethnic groups. Most were of working age, with an average age of around 40, ranging from 15 to 77 years.
Among the participants, 36 (19.3%) were smokers, and 43 (23.0%) were obese. The average BMI was 26.8 kg/m², indicating that the majority were overweight.
Cardiology screenings found that 32 individuals (17.1%) had hypertension, eight (4.3%) had raised blood sugar, 22 (11.8%) had abnormal cholesterol levels, 41 (21.9%) had a moderate 10-year cardiovascular risk (Framingham ≥10%), and three (1.6%) had abnormal electrocardiograms requiring further evaluation. These findings highlight the presence of early but often silent cardiovascular risks among men.
In the urology segment, 37 participants underwent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Only one individual recorded a PSA level higher than 4 ng/ml, while the remaining 36 fell between 2–4 ng/ml. Although these values are not immediately alarming, regular monitoring every one to two years is recommended.
As for testosterone testing, five out of 61 individuals (8.2%) had low testosterone levels (<2 ng/ml) and will require further clinical and biochemical assessment by the urology team.
Overall, 54 participants (28.9%) were advised to seek follow-up at government clinics, while another four (2.1%) were referred to hospital specialists for further evaluation. The programme underscores the importance of early community-based screening in identifying health risks and preventing future complications.
Fearghal Hennessy, vice-president of Operations and Executive Sponsor for ESG at Boston Scientific Medical Device, said men’s health is often under-discussed but should not be overlooked.
“Our commitment is simple: do the right thing, show up for our community and create real access to essential health screenings. When we bring together the public, healthcare professionals and our people with a shared purpose, we take meaningful steps toward a healthier and more informed society,” he said.
Andy Song Chung Boon, chief operating officer of PE Land (Penang) Sdn Bhd, said fostering a safe and thriving family environment is central to the company’s corporate philosophy.
“Men’s health has long been relatively underestimated, and we hope to help bridge this gap through accessible health education and screening,” he added.
Pix courtesy of State Youth, Sports and Health office