Men’s Health Week (MHW) has become a permanent fixture on the HSE Health & Wellbeing calendar and once again in 2022 it was delivered in collaboration with many partners led by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland. The idea of the week is to encourage men to take positive action when it comes to their health. The theme for MHW 2022 in Ireland was ‘Mission is Possible’, with a call to action ‘The Action Starts With You’. It focused on asking everyone (men themselves, service providers and policy makers) to take on realistic and achievable ‘missions’ (tasks, actions, goals and objectives) to improve men’s health.
Many of the key statistics, crystallised in the ‘Men’s Health in Numbers’ publications show that:
- Local men continue to die, on average, younger than women do.
- Poor lifestyles (including smoking, drinking, diet and lack of exercise) are responsible for a large proportion of chronic diseases.
- Males have higher death rates than women for almost all of the leading causes of death, and at all ages.
- Men’s mental health needs are often under the radar and remain unmet.
- Late presentation to health services can lead to a number of problems becoming untreatable.
One of the highlights of the week was the HSE hosted the Masculinities and Men’s Health Webinar, which had over 200 attendees. Speaking during the webinar, Paul Ferris, Men’s Health Week 2022 Ambassador, ex-professional footballer with Newcastle United, and award winning author, said:
“From my personal experience of living with health and wellbeing issues, I appreciate that men and boys need both opportunities to improve their health, as well as support to do so. Men’s Health Week offers an ideal time to focus our attention upon the needs of males, and to make a positive and meaningful difference to their lives. We all need to commit to realistic missions which will improve both our own health and the health of males generally. Everyone has a part to play in achieving this.”
With over 60 partners helping to create an awareness about Men’s Health by organising various virtual and live events and demonstrations, it was a truly inspiring week. One such initiative involved, the HSE Health & Wellbeing funder partner, parkrun working with HSE Health Promotion Officers to encourage all men and boys of all ages to join their local free weekly parkrun. Over 14 events happened nationwide, along with many other parkrun’s joining in to encourage everyone to attend their free local 5k run.
Other highlights from the week include when colleagues Dr. Noel Richardson was interviewed on Ireland AM, Dr. Bobby Smyth working with Alcohol Action Ireland got great coverage in many media outlets including the Sunday World and Finian Murray, senior Health Promotion Officer for Men’s Health did the day in the life piece with the Irish Examiner.
For further information about the week click HERE.