“Men Also Experience Menopause: Understanding Midlife Emotional and Physical Changes”

Just as women experience physical, behavioral, and emotional changes during menopause, men also go through a similar phase after the age of fifty. They often face irritability, anger, and a decline in physical strength — yet society rarely acknowledges or addresses these changes.

These views were expressed by world-renowned public health expert Prof. Subhash Hira from the University of Washington, who has worked in over 140 countries against epidemics such as AIDS, TB, malaria, monkeypox, and COVID-19. He was addressing a discussion held at Vidya Bhavan Polytechnic Auditorium on “Public Health, Wellbeing, and Artificial Intelligence.”

Prof. Hira noted that humanity has faced numerous pandemics in the past century — from the Plague and Spanish Flu to Bird Flu, Swine Flu, and COVID-19. He warned that Ebola could become the next major threat, emphasizing the need for global preparedness.

He described the 21st century as “the century of pandemics,” hinting that bio-warfare and bio-terrorism could be underlying factors.

Representing India at the G20 health track and known for promoting generic medicines, Prof. Hira highlighted that while the global average life expectancy has nearly doubled from 35 to 70 years due to advanced health services, lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac arrest, neural disorders, and cervical cancer are now claiming more lives.

He added that India tops the global list of tuberculosis patients, with TB bacteria capable of spreading up to 80 feet through air — making crowded and enclosed spaces highly vulnerable.

Speaking on Artificial Intelligence, Prof. Hira said that AI is proving extremely useful in the health sector but remains only an assistive tool — it can never replace the empathy and compassion that are essential to healing.

He emphasized that many ailments can be cured by focusing on mental health, noting that the Government of India has initiated over two lakh wellness centers under the G20 commitment, with more than 80% already operational.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Anil Mehta, Principal of Vidya Bhavan Polytechnic, while Chandresh Arora, Academic Coordinator, and Prakash, Head of Department, welcomed the guests.