Jon Davies, psychologist at the University Counseling and Testing Center, discusses problems men face that decrease their longevity, and the upcoming Men’s Civil War Relay. John Lin, the Men’s Center Coordi
When runners from the University Men’s Center team pass the baton during Sunday’s Civil War Relay, they won’t just be competing for top honors in the 50- mile race — Men’s Center Director Dave Miller said the race symbolizes men transferring knowledge and awareness of men’s health issues.
Five runners will compete on the Men’s Center team in the Nov. 21 relay, which stretches from Eugene to Albany. After the race, Men’s Center representatives will hold a public discussion about issues affecting men’s physical and emotional health.
The annual race, held the day after the Civil War football game between the University and Oregon State University, begins at 7 a.m. at Autzen Stadium. Participants will each run five two-mile legs, carrying the team up Coburg Road and along a route east of Interstate 5 through Brownsville. About eight hours later, the racers will cross the finish line at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany.
Counseling and Testing Center psychologist Jon Davies said the relay, which will also feature teams from OSU among the nearly 40 competing in the race, is a collaborative effort between the men’s centers at the two universities. He said the teams will race “not in a competitive spirit, but a spirit of cooperation” to share the importance of men’s health.
A typical man lives seven years less than a typical woman, a discrepancy caused by risky behavior rather than genetics, Davies said. He said men are more likely to engage in risky activities, such as speeding and using alcohol and drugs, and are less likely to seek help for problems, leading to illness and shorter life spans.
“Men think they’re pretty healthy, when in fact they’re more risky and less healthy than women,” he said.
Testicular cancer will also be a focus of the discussion. The disease is the most common form of cancer in men 15 to 40 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health. Between 6,000 and 8,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year.
“These are all areas that can kill or do harm to men in particular,” he said.
To promote healthier choices, the team will wear T-shirts that say “real men vs. realistic men,” Davies said, adding that “realistic men are men who seek health when necessary.”
Davies said the Men’s Center also aims to help men seek out healthy behaviors. He said about 90 percent of University Student Conduct Code violations are committed by males, while only about one-third of Counseling and Testing Center clients are male.
“So what we know is men are out there and struggle with issues, but are not coming in for help,” he said.
Miller said the event will also emphasize fitness “by its very nature.”
The team includes team captain freshman Anne Riley, as well as freshmen Stephen Navarro, Laura Bocko, Sarah Shoop and Craig Harford.
Davies said women are a vital part of men’s health because men often rely on them for advice and support, but he added that promoting men’s health includes helping men to rely more on each other.
“Women shouldn’t have to bear all the burden of taking care of men,” Davies said.
Miller said the Men’s Center has always had a policy of opening its events to everyone.
Harford said he hopes more teams from the University will become involved in the future, adding that several teams from OSU will compete this year.
