Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and Minister for Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne TD, today (Monday) welcomed the start of Men’s Health Week 2019.
Co-ordinated by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, and running from Monday 10th June to Sunday 16th June (Father’s Day), the week aims to raise awareness of preventable health problems, support men and boys to live healthier lives, and encourage them to seek help or treatment early.
Minister Harris said:
We know that men are disadvantaged in terms of a number of key health outcomes; for example, smoking, drinking and obesity rates are higher in men, as are suicide rates.
This is why we published the National Men’s Health Action Plan in 2017 and I welcome this week as an important contribution to men’s health in Ireland.
It is crucial we continue to support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities and encourage them to seek help or treatment at an early stage.
Minister Byrne said:
Healthy Ireland, our national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation, has a specific focus on addressing health inequalities including those arising as a result of gender. I want to join Minister Harris in welcoming the start of Men’s Health Week and I commend the Men’s Health Forum In Ireland, the HSE and the many other partner organisations for their work in promoting positive physical and mental health for men throughout this week and beyond.
Notes to the Editor
Men’s Health Week is celebrated across Europe, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and many other countries. In Ireland, Men’s Health Week is coordinated by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland with support from over 80 partner organisations. Financial support comes from the Health Service Executive and the Public Health Agency.
The Men's Health Forum in Ireland (www.mhfi.org) is a charity which works on an all-island basis to improve the health of men and boys.
It is a voluntary network of individuals and organisations, men and women, which seeks to identify the key concerns relating to male health and to increase understanding of these issues.
Key information on Men’s Health Week on the island of Ireland is available online
• Full overview of Men’s Health Week 2019: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2019.html
• Briefing paper which answers all of the most common questions: www.mhfi.org/mhw2019toolbox.pdf
• Men’s Health Week posters and images: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html
• Practical suggestions for organisations on how they can get involved: www.mhfi.org/mhw2019celebrateit.pdf
• Latest developments: www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek and www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL