THIS is International Men’s Health Week and during this time, the Western Trust is urging everyone to focus upon medical conditions and the general health and wellbeing of local men and boys.
The campaign begins before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself.
During this week there will be a number of events taking place throughout the Trust, within local communities and in workplaces.
Sandra Semple, Health Improvement Officer, Western Trust states that; “Men’s Health Week offers an ideal platform to do something positive and start this process.
“Making even very small changes can have a huge impact in the longer-term.”
On Thursday 15 June from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm in The Erne Shopping Centre and in The Richmond Centre on Friday 15 June from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, 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.
But why is this needed?
Research shows that local men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young.
Local men die, on average, four and a half years younger than women do.
Males have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death.
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.
Men’s Health Week seeks to support men and boys to: engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities; encourage the early detection and treatment of health issues and heighten awareness of preventable health problems, including mental health challenges.
The focus this year is – ‘It’s all about HIM’ – everyone needs to give men’s health issues their undivided attention and to treat these as a priority concern.
If you would like further information about men’s health please contact Sandra Semple on: (028) 7186 5127.
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