The new HOGstache initiative at the final home football game of the season…was all about men’s health. Red mustaches were distributed to the student section to help raise awareness for various male health issues.
Dean Melissa Harwood-Rom says it’s important to increase awareness and encourage men to get checkups and practice healthy lifestyles. On average, men have a shorter life expectancy than women. Many health organizations believe this is due to many men’s lack of awareness and understanding for different health issues they face, not openly discussing their health and how they’re feeling, and their reluctance to seek medical help when they aren’t feeling well. The HOGstache initiative is the first of it’s kind on campus to shine light on this topic.
Whether you’re sporting natural facial hair, or a red mustache, the office of student affairs is encouraging everyone to take pictures and post them on social media using the hashtag HOGstache. They are hoping this event, while being fun, will help male students on campus become informed and begin to form healthy habits like getting regular check-ups.
And as for the ‘stache? Harwood-Rom says,“who doesn’t like a red mustache. And it’s a way of supporting our razorbacks.We’ll be doing this throughout the month of November.”
The red mustaches are a fun way to shed light on some serious topics. The initiative has been well received so far and the U of A is looking to make this an annual event.