International Men’s Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself.  During 2023, it will run from Monday 12th until Sunday 18th June.

It is celebrated in many European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a number of other places worldwide.  The overall aims of MHW are to:

1. Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
2. Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities.
3. 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. 

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!

Check out the New ‘Action Man – ten top tips for men’s health’ Man Manual 

During Men’s Health Week in June 2023, this booklet will be made available in both hard copy and in electronic format.  A copy of the online version can be downloaded by clicking here.