The findings of a qualitative study highlighting reasons why Grenadian men under-utilize a wide array of healthcare services are now in the hands of policy makers at the Ministry of Health. The study was conducted in October 2011 by a team led by Professor Omowale Amuleru-Marshall of St. George’s University. It was commissioned by the Ministry of Health with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in preparation for the commencement of a Men’s Health Services Clinic in Grenada. The clinic is set to be piloted at the Tivoli Medical Station in St. Andrew later this year. In addressing health officials at the presentation of the report, Minister for Health, Sen. Ann Peters, encouraged healthcare providers to consider the importance of the study and its findings. Peters explained that her Ministry felt it was significantly important to hear from men themselves, why they hardly ever utilized available health services. “That to me was important because if we are to really address the issues relating to men’s health, we needed to hear from them, notwithstanding the fact that we do provide and care for our men”, the Health Minister said. Peters hopes the study’s findings will have a positive and motivating effect on healthcare providers. “The concerns, suggestions and recommendations for improvement in our service delivery are all there and well documented,’’ she pointed out. “Therefore, we should use it to improve our work and services to our people. Do not just see this as another document and allow it to sit on some bookshelf. Let us commit to use it as a guide and implement the recommendations for the benefit of our people,’’ Peters urged. Prof. Marshall, in his presentation, reiterated that the rationale for the study was to understand men’s perceptions about the Grenadian healthcare system. The understanding is essential for the development of appropriate health services for men, he said. The study’s target population, he disclosed, consisted of men residing in areas serviced by the Tivoli Medical Station-St. Patrick Health District. About 100 people were sampled in the study. Prof. Marshall, who holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Public Health, said the specific objectives of the investigation were: · To collect and interpret the perceptions of Grenadian men regarding the healthcare services in n their community; · To elaborate on key findings pertaining to physical, financial and other personal challenges associated with access to healthcare services; and · To propose a set of recommendations to improve health services targeting men in the identified areas. According to the report, the concerns raised by men for not using the services included; fear, stigma, and manhood and privacy issues. The report also listed education and awareness, the types of available care, and a number gender-based reasons for men’s approach to how they access services. REMEMBER YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!