👨 Movember & Men’s Health – Climate, Heat, and Wellbeing

Melanie Galpin
Nov 13
2 min read

Every November, Movember raises awareness around men’s health — shining a light on issues such as mental wellbeing, cancer, and cardiovascular health. But there’s another factor often overlooked in this conversation: the urban environment itself.

The cities where we live, work, and breathe profoundly affect our health. Rising heat, worsening air quality, and drier conditions amplify health risks — particularly for men, who already face higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.

At WaterRoofs, we believe the design of cities must directly support human health.

🌡️ Heat Stress: A Growing Urban Health Risk

Europe’s 2022 heatwaves led to over 62,000 premature deaths, according to The Lancet Planetary Health. Men, particularly older men, face increased risk because:

Cardiovascular systems are more vulnerable under prolonged heat stress.
Outdoor work in construction, agriculture, or transport exposes many men to extreme conditions.
Dehydration and poor air quality increase the load on respiratory health.

Traditional rooftops only make this worse, absorbing and radiating heat that pushes urban temperatures higher.

💧 Air Quality and Humidity Matter

Urban air is not just hotter — it’s also drier and dirtier. Sealed rooftops and pavements prevent evaporation, reducing local humidity that helps filter pollutants. Dry air irritates airways, exacerbating asthma and increasing respiratory illness risk.

By restoring moisture to the atmosphere, evaporation acts as a natural filter and comfort regulator. It reduces airborne dust and improves respiratory wellbeing.

🛠️ WaterRoofs: Healthier Cities by Design

WaterRoofs reintroduces this essential natural process:

✅ Reduces urban heat: Lowers rooftop surface temperatures by up to 15°C and air temperatures by 1–5°C.
✅ Restores humidity: Micro-channel PET tiles capture rainfall and gradually release it through evaporation.
✅ Improves air quality: By adding moisture, WaterRoofs reduces airborne particles and makes breathing easier.
✅ Uses safe, circular materials: Tiles are made from 100% recycled PET, contributing to healthier cities and reducing plastic pollution.

This isn’t just sustainable architecture — it’s preventive public health design.

👨 Why Men’s Health and Environment Intersect

Men have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, which is worsened by heat exposure.
Outdoor male-dominated jobs put workers on the frontlines of urban climate risks.
Mental health is also influenced by environmental stress: hotter, polluted, and uncomfortable cities increase anxiety, fatigue, and social strain.

By reducing heat stress and improving urban comfort, WaterRoofs can play a part in protecting men’s health while also benefiting everyone in the city.