This year International Men’s Health Week (MHW) will run from Monday 12 until Sunday 18 June 2023.
Celebrated in many European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a number of other places worldwide, the overall aim is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages, support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities plus encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.
But why is there a need to hold a Men’s Health Week? Males constitute almost 50% of the population on the island of Ireland and, therefore, deserve to have a gender lens focused upon their specific health needs. Research clearly how these men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young …
– Local men die younger than women do.
– Males have higher death rates than females for almost all of the leading causes of death and at all ages.
– Men’s poorer lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases.
– Late presentation to health services can lead to a large number of problems becoming untreatable
Indeed, while many of these conditions are preventable, their prevalence amongst men may, in fact, rise in the future.
During 2023, the MHW theme for Ireland will be ‘The Picture of Health’ and the call to men (and those who support the health of men) will be what does that look like to you?
All too often we set ourselves unrealistic or impractical targets. However, this year, everyone is being asked to set themselves a simple goal(s) to improve the health of men, and to go for it!
The celebration of Men’s Health Week on the island of Ireland during 2023 is being funded by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing and the Public Health Agency.
For further information on Men’s Health Week contact Frances Haughey, Health Inequalities Officer at E: or T: 075 0077 2905.
