Men's Health Week 2013

Men’s Health Week always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This year, it will run from Monday 10th until Sunday 16th June 2013.  It is celebrated in most European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other places worldwide.  The theme for Men’s Health Week 2013 in Ireland is: ‘Action Men - Turning Words into Actions!’

But, why should we focus upon men’s health?  Well ...

• Local men die, on average, almost five years younger than women do.
• Males have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death and at all ages.
• Poor lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases.
• Late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable ...

Not too long ago, we were unaware of the full extent of men’s poor health status and the specific health issues that they face.  However, this is no longer the case.  Therefore, we cannot ignore the needs of almost half of the population of the island of Ireland.

In recent years, a broad range of research has highlighted the health difficulties which face men in Ireland and further afield.  For example ...

• Men’s Health in Ireland (www.mhfi.org/fullreport.pdf)
• Getting Inside Men’s Health (www.mhfi.org/gettinginsidemenshealth.pdf)
• Men’s Health in Northern Ireland: Tackling the Root Causes of Men’s [ill] Health (www.mhfi.org/manmattersbriefing1.pdf)
• A Report on the all-Ireland Young Men and Suicide Project (www.mhfi.org/ymspfullreport.pdf)
• Facing the Challenge - The Impact of Recession and Unemployment on Men’s Health in Ireland (www.mhfi.org/IPHreport2011.pdf)
• The State of Men’s Health in Europe (www.mhfi.org/menshealtheurope.pdf) ...

This evidence clearly shows that men’s health could be improved in many significant ways.  However, men require support, encouragement and opportunities to do this.

The Republic of Ireland was the first country in the world to have a National Men’s Health Policy (www.mhfi.org/menshealthpolicy.pdf).  This was founded upon a comprehensive review of men’s health evidence (both nationally and internationally), as well as consultations with a range of stakeholders - including men themselves.  However, Northern Ireland still lacks any dedicated formal framework / guidelines for assessing or meeting men’s health needs.

Now that we know what many of the key men’s health issues are, it’s time to do something about them.  This year, Men’s Heath Week calls for action on men’s health.  There is a role for everyone.

Men’s health is not just an issue for individual men.  While it is crucial for men to take responsibility for looking after themselves, their health can often be determined by other factors outside of their personal control.  Thus, there is also a need for policy-makers and service providers to recognise the role that they need to play, and to do something practical about it. 

Frequently, we simply blame men for their own state of health, and focus upon the shortcomings of individuals without recognising that there are also wider social determinants of health.  MHW 2013 calls upon everyone to do their bit to improve the lot of men and boys, and to start turning words into actions.

Many organisations across the island of Ireland have risen to this challenge, and details of some of their initiatives can be viewed at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2013events.pdf

Full details about Men's Health Week 2013 can be found at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2013.html