Men encouraged to ‘Know Your Numbers’ for Men’s Health Week

The HSE in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland is encouraging men across Ireland to ‘Know Your Numbers’ as part of Men’s Health Week. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of preventable health problems, support men and boys to live healthier lives, and encourage them to seek help or treatment at an early stage.

To kick off the week The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland will be hosting a webinar toady Monday (10 June at 11.30am) which will feature former Irish rugby international Rob Kearney and a host of other guest speakers who will discuss various aspects of men’s health.

People can register online.

Men's Health Week this year will focus upon 3 types of numbers:

• Statistics on the state of men's health that policy makers and service providers need to know if they are to address the issues facing men and boys
• Key numbers that men, themselves, need to know, to take control over elements of their own health
• Contact numbers for help and support services that everyone needs to know at times of difficulty or crisis.

Dr Noel Richardson, HSE Health and Wellbeing member and Director of the National Centre for Men’s Health, South East Technological University, Carlow says; “Men’s Health Week is a timely reminder for us to reflect on how men can lead healthier and more productive lives, and to normalise conversations on men’s health. It is a time to put men’s health in the spotlight, to examine the factors underpinning some of the more worrying statistics behind men’s health and to reach out to family and friends and check-in.

“Simple, practical steps like taking regular exercise, a change in diet and reducing alcohol consumption can all play a major role in improving health outcomes. We are encouraging all men to look at ways they can improve their health and to reach out and seek support.”

To support the week, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland has launched a number of new publications:

• Two ‘Men’s Health Report Cards’ – one focusing on the Republic of Ireland and one on Northern Ireland. These shine a light on the ‘big picture’ of men’s health on the island of Ireland, and offer important insights.
• A ‘Do You Know Your Numbers’ z-card for men themselves, which highlights a range of key numbers that all men need to be aware of in relation to their personal health.

Colin Fowler, Director of Operations of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland says; “The statistics in the Report Cards provide some cause for optimism, along with some grounds for concern. So, there is certainly still room for improvement. The four main causes of death among local males continue to be neoplasms (benign or malignant growths) , circulatory system diseases, respiratory system diseases, and external causes of injury and poisoning.

“That said, it is important to note that death rates from these have often been reduced due to factors such as the adoption of healthier lifestyles, the uptake of screening programmes, better diagnostic tools, improvements in health literacy and help-seeking behaviours, availability of support services, and more effective treatments.”

An updated ‘Action Man’ Manual has been produced - in both hard copy and as an online download. During Men’s Health Week 2024, males are encouraged to get a copy of this free booklet, which has been written specifically for men in all parts of Ireland. International Men's Health Week always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself, running from 10 to 16 June this year.