Is this the best men's health book yet?

THE NEW HAYNES MAN MANUAL:

A drive towards better men's health.

The Haynes Man Manual, a groundbreaking marriage of men and motors, is out now. Written by the Men's Health Forum's president Dr Ian Banks, it is a unique collaboration between Haynes and the Men's Health Forum sponsored by an educational grant from Lilly ICOS (a joint venture between two major pharmaceutical companies).

Download some sample sections:

If your body was a car would you take better care of it?

Is getting it up, getting you down?

The Man Manual by Dr Ian Banks

Familiar, no nonsense format

The Man Manual is written in the format of the iconic Haynes car manuals - used by generations of men to better understand and maintain their cars. The style is no-nonsense, step by step, helping to identify a problem before suggesting a possible solution. "It is the perfect format to use to talk to men about their bodies and their health" says Dr Ian Banks. "We've struggled for years to create health information that men can really relate to and I think we've cracked it - when I was approached with the idea it just seemed so obvious I couldn't understand why it hadn't been thought of before."

Explains when to see a doctor

The aim of the manual is to explain to men how their bodies work, offer "maintenance" tips and highlight some of the most common men's health problems. "Ultimately" says Dr Banks "We want to encourage men to get over their embarrassment and head-in-the-sand mentality and go to see a doctor as soon as something goes wrong with their body. And to go back if the first solution they try doesn't work - just as they would with their car." Currently four in five men wait too long before going to see their GP and as a result treatable illnesses like diabetes, depression and erectile dysfunction (ED) cause unnecessary misery to millions.

According to the author and publishers, ED is a perfect example of a condition that is misunderstood and inappropriately dealt with by men who, on average, wait more than two years2 before consulting their doctor about their problem. "Their delay in seeking treatment is irrational, because we can treat ED very effectively. Additionally, ED can be an important indicator of serious underlying conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure" says Dr Ian Banks.

Down to earth and funny

The Man Manual is designed to overcome embarrassment, nerves and ignorance by avoiding preaching and nagging and instead using down to earth frankness and humour - as well as some very interesting comparisons between men's bodies and their beloved cars. Diagnostic sections from NHS Direct On-line were generously provided royalty free, to help men identify any potential health problems.

Tiff Needell, racing driver, broadcaster and generally car-mad man, is already a fan of the manual. He comments: "The Haynes manuals are legendary to British men young and old. Men have trusted Haynes to bring them the information they need to care for their cars for the past 40 years. So I think it is an act of genius for the Men's Health forum, supported by Lilly ICOS, to use this famous format to talk to men about their bodies and their health. I've already had a look through and learnt a lot about what might go wrong, how to spot it and what can be done about it - although like most men I still know a hell of a lot more about my car than my body!"

Helps the Forum too

The Haynes Man Manual costs £12.99 and will be available from all leading bookstores and Halfords from November 2002. It is the product of a partnership formed between Haynes and the Men's Health Forum, with initial funding for the manual provided by an educational grant from Lilly ICOS. Each manual sold will include a 50p donation to the Men's Health Forum to help fund men's health projects. "This collaboration between the Men's Health Forum, Haynes and Lilly ICOS will help improve the way men deal with conditions like ED, depression and a whole host of other things," says Ian Banks. "As through the Man Manual they will have access to the health information they need, in an understandable and familiar format, to help them seek the treatment that's right for them".

Read the full press release

Visit Haynes site for more info and to buy book

If your body was a car would you take better care of it?

Is getting it up, getting you down?