Partner

The way to a man's health is through a woman, says CBS Medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay. From Boys to Men is an engaging, informative manifesto that urges every woman to become Dr. Mom. "Men begin life as more fragile beings, then compound it with attraction to risk, an aversion to self care and an arsenal of unhealthy habits," notes Senay. Culture is the culprit, and being raised as a man is dangerous to your health. For this reason, Senay begins with sons. Using lively case histories and bulleted checklists, she covers a compendium of critical issues including penis care, attention deficits, food fights, bully behavior, the smell of teen spirit, rules of the road, not inhaling, and safe sex. For women who sit at the grownups' table, with husbands, partners, and lovers, the goals are prevention and collaboration rather than nagging. Whether offering advice about symptom denial, finding good fats, or prostrate health, or recognizing warning signs of cancer, heart disease, alcoholism, and diabetes, Senay offers life-saving information. Some readers may challenge rather than accept the gender gap that creates male aversion to medical care. Senay might have devoted more ink to raising self-care-savvy sons--who learn the example of both parents--rather than underlining the idea that mother knows best. Whether you accept Senay's premise of men who will be boys and women as health-care educators, this is an insightful and readable resource. --Barbara Mackoff