This year International Men’s Health Week (MHW) will run from Monday 14th until Sunday 20th June.
Celebrated across Europe, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a number of other places worldwide, the overall aims of MHW are to:
◾Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
◾Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities.
◾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 shows that 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.
Men’s Health Week 2021 will once again take place against a backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide, the virus continues to have a major and disproportionate impact upon men’s health as well as their wider lives. Even with the hope of vaccination, these are still extremely challenging times. However, one thing is sure – we all need to focus upon re-building our relationships with family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, community groups, clubs, churches, men’s programmes, sporting bodies, health services etc. Men’s Health Week 2021 offers an ideal time to think about how this could be done realistically and safely. Throughout the week, everyone is asked to begin this process of ‘MAKING THE CONNECTIONS’ and to ‘CHECK IN. CHECK UP. CHECK IT OUT.’
To find out more about International Men’ Health Week visit https://bit.ly/3iuuXMS
During Men’s Health Week the council are also playing their part in helping highlight the importance of looking after yourself by hosting a week-long programme of events at South Lake Leisure Centre, offering a host of free taster of activities which promote men’s health and wellbeing.
To find out more about the programme and to sign up for any of the free activities visit getactiveabc.com/menshealthweek
