The Economics and Social Research Council has published research on how the loneliness and health risks of older men go unseen in a world geared to older women.

Forum Response: Economic and Social Research Council

Dr Kate Davidson of the Centre for Research on Ageing and Gender at the University of Surrey said: "The perception was that the only activities at day centres involved sitting around, chatting or playing Bingo - the sort of thing 'old women' enjoy doing.

"Efforts must be made to make these clubs more attractive to older men so that they do not feel they are 'yielding up' their individuality or admitting 'defeat'. They could, as happens in a few cases, offer wine and beer with lunch, a snooker table or a computer club.

"The customary approach to health improvement has been to target individuals, but less attention has been paid to the broad picture including biological, social, cultural and economic factors that shape the way men act."

Co-director professor Sara Arber said: "Over recent years there have been substantial advances in our understanding of the lives of older women, but older men have been largely neglected. This research has redressed the imbalance.

"Our research shows how masculinity continues to shape men's experiences and activities in late life, despite the onset of ill-health, widowhood or living alone.

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com:"I agree with the report's findings that there are some very serious issues about men's health that the system is not currently not dealing with."