Come November, there's increased focus and attention on the various issues faced by men – from mental health to prostate and testicular cancer.
That’s because the month is annually celebrated as Movember, a time when men are encouraged to grow a moustache (or a “mo”), to promote the causes. The initiative began in 2003 in Australia, where men were encouraged to grow their facial hair in return for sponsorship money that was donated to charities supporting prostate cancer research.
Since then, it has snowballed into a global movement that includes everything from men’s health projects to moustache patterns on cups, clothes and accessories.
With men’s health in focus right now, here’s a look at some local initiatives designed to support the cause:
Inspire Studio
Yoga and Pilates studio Inspire is hosting a Talking it Out event on Saturday at 5pm to motivate men to take action on their health. A panel of experts will be speaking at the event, including urology specialist Dr Rabih Madi, psychologist Reem Shaheen, and nutritionist Faisal Shawa, with topics ranging from prostate and testicular cancer to treatment side effects and nutrition. The 45-minute session will be followed by a Bro-Yoga class, which focuses on gentle stretching and breathing techniques. The class isn’t exclusive to men; women can also join in to support. While the event is free to attend, registration is a must.
Inspire is also running a social media contest inviting participants to showcase their stylish moustaches and tagging Inspire. There will be two winners selected for special prizes, including 10 yoga classes worth Dh1,000.
Saturday, November 6, from 5pm; Gate Avenue, the DIFC; eventbrite.com
BLK Cab Central
In celebration of Movember, BLK Cab Central will be offering guests a free bowl of doughnut balls if sporting a moustache. Those without lip foliage needn’t feel left out either, as the coffee brand – known for its moustache branding – has launched a BLK Cab Tashe filter. Guests wanting to claim their sweet treat must head to the brand’s Instagram page @blkcabcoffee and post an image of themselves trying out the look.
Throughout November; free; Wasl 51 Mall; instagram.com/blkcabcoffee
Washmen
Laundry company Washmen has partnered with Al Jalila Foundation to launch its first Movember Blue Bag initiative this year. The company will be donating a percentage from every blue wash and fold bag to the foundation. Customers can order theirs throughout the November, pack it to the brim with clothes that will be picked up and returned, washed and folded for Dh65.
Available throughout November; Dh65; Delivery throughout most of Dubai and Abu Dhabi; 04 558 8191; washmen.com
Carzaty
The second-hand car retailer has selected 25 vehicles from its range to participate in its Blue Badge initiative. For each of the cars sold this month, Carzaty will set aside Dh1,000 to be donated to Al Jalila Foundation. Participating models include Porsche, Range Rover, BMW and Toyota, and they'll be sporting a Movember badge to make it easier for customers to identify them.
Throughout November; Al Thanyah Street, Umm Al Sheif; 800 2770 9289; carzaty.com
Conrad Dubai Spa
Throughout November, the spa is offering 20 per cent off treatments every day from 11am to 3pm. Meanwhile, 10 per cent of the proceeds from its 60-minute Immune Support treatment – which includes guided breathing followed by an oil massage – will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation.
Throughout November; Conrad Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road; 04 444 7440
Grandiose Supermarket
Grandiose Supermarket has teamed up with Al Jalila Foundation to launch its first Movember campaign, raising both funds and awareness for men's health in the UAE. Throughout the month of November, all Grandiose supermarkets and hypermarkets will host a selection products that, once purchased, will contribute to Movember. The selected men’s hygiene and care items will be available across 16 stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, and feature Movember signage in blue. A percentage of profits earned from these items will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation to support research and treatments of prostate and testicular cancer.
Throughout November; Grandiose branches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.
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A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
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$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
