WARNING ... Reading this manual can seriously improve your health!

But, why should we focus upon men’s health?  Well, the reasons are both clear and stark ...

• 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.
• Late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable ...

This high level of premature mortality amongst men in Ireland has far-reaching repercussions - far beyond the life satisfaction of men themselves.  It affects not only industry and commerce, but also impacts upon the social and financial positions of families.  However, this is not a lost cause.  Much can be done to improve this situation.  That is why Men’s Health Week this year focuses upon the theme of ‘Creating Culture Change - it’s time for a new script’.

Men’s Health Week always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This year, it will run from Monday 15th until Sunday 21st June 2015.  It is celebrated in most European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other places worldwide.  Locally, it is coordinated by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI).

To celebrate this week, MHFI has printed a new, free, 32 page Man Manual titled ‘Challenges and Choices’.  This booklet poses a series of simple, practical challenges to local men in an effort to radically improve their health.  The health messages are presented in a humorous, straightforward, step-by-step, and commonsense way, and the opening pages begin with: “WARNING ... Reading this manual can seriously improve your health!”

There has been a huge demand for the Manual from men across the island of Ireland and, since its release three weeks ago, almost all of the 10,000 copies available have been snapped-up.

Michael Lynch, Chairperson of MHFI and Director of Development for Men’s Action Network (MAN) in the North West, comments:

“All of the evidence clearly shows that there are many challenges to be faced when seeking to improve men’s health.  However, it also highlights that men’s health can be improved in many significant ways - if men make the right choices, and are given the support, encouragement and opportunities to succeed.  This Man Manual provides the information and the tools, and Men’s Health Week offers the opportunity to make a positive change.  I am delighted that the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland was able to support the production of this much-requested booklet”.

Colin Fowler, Director of Operations for MHFI, reflects:

“Interest in men’s health is certainly increasing, and not only amongst policy makers and service providers.  Men, themselves, are rising to the challenge, and seeking information to help them to make positive choices.  This must lead us to ask a very basic question: ‘Are men not interested in their own health or have we simply, to date, been offering them the wrong things in the wrong way?’  Men’s Health Week 2015 is the time to create a new culture in Ireland”.

In relation to his role in Men’s Health Week 2015, sporting hero Tony Ward comments:

“Men’s Health Week gives everyone an opportunity to do something positive and practical to improve the health of men and boys in Ireland.  I know, from my personal experience of battling with prostate cancer, that men certainly need to pay more attention to their health and to act quickly when they suspect something may be wrong.  However, we live in a culture which expects men to keep their chin up and to soldier on through difficult times.  This needs to change.  It’s definitely time for a new script”.

To find out everything you need to know about Men's Health Week 2015, visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2015.html.