THE Western Trust says there is clear evidence that men, on the island of Ireland and further afield, experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young.
International Men’s Health Week 2016, which runs from 13 – 19 June 2016 seeks to challenge this situation.
It calls upon everyone to do something practical to make a difference to the health and well being of local men and boys.
The theme for this year is ‘Men United for Health & Well Being’ Are we winning? This theme lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.
Men in Ireland die, on average, almost four and a half 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 and late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable.
The good news is that men’s cancer survival rates are improving, and the number of men who are smoking is also on the downturn.
Taking up this challenge is Men’s Health West, an alliance of bodies, whose aim is to promote, support, facilitate and sustain a network of organisations and individuals who have an interest in raising awareness of the health and well-being issues affecting males within the Western Trust.
Sandra Semple from the Western Trust’s Health Improvement Department, is a member of this group and has coordinated a calendar of events to mark this week. Sandra states that “any programmes that encourage men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties is to be encouraged”
This year during Men’s Health Week there are a number of events planned throughout the Western Trust within workplaces and local communities.
One such event will take place in Foyleside Shopping Centre on Friday 17 June from 12.00 noon to 4.00pm.
Men will be able to have free health checks, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI.
There will also be information and advice on the main cancers that affect men.
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