International Men’s Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself.

The week 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:

• 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.

In Ireland, MHW is celebrated on an all-island basis.  Each year, there is a specific theme, and an inter-agency Planning Group determines the focus for the whole island of Ireland – as well as what the key messages should be and the range of resources needed.  Belfast Men’s Health Group contributes to this process and celebrates the week in the city.

MHW gives everyone (health professionals, service providers, sporting bodies, community groups, employers, policy makers, the media, churches, individuals …) an opportunity to encourage men and boys to take better care of their health and to seek help or treatment at an early stage.

The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) coordinates activity on the island of Ireland and cooperates with other Men’s Health Fora worldwide to mark this week.

Find out more about Men’s Health Week, the themes each year, and the resources available at:  https://mhfi.org/mhw/about-mhw.html