Men's Health Week 2024

International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself. During 2024, it ran from Monday 10th until Sunday 16th June.

It is celebrated in many European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a number of other places worldwide. The overall aims of MHW are to:

Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities.
Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

But why is there a need to hold a Men's Health Week? ... Males constitute almost 50% of the population on the island of Ireland and, therefore, deserve to have a gender lens focused upon their specific health needs. Research clearly hows that these men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young ...

- Local men die younger than women do.
- Males have higher death rates than females for almost all of the leading causes of death and at all ages.
- Men’s poorer lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases.
- Late presentation to health services can lead to a large number of problems becoming untreatable ...

Indeed, while many of these conditions are preventable, their prevalence amongst men may, in fact, rise in the future.

Each year, there is a specific theme for Men's Health Week. During 2024, the theme for the island of Ireland was 'Know Your Numbers' and the key message to everyone was men's health counts.

This was a population-wide attempt to increase awareness of the key numbers that policy makers / service providers / men / important people in men’s lives need to know. Sometimes, these relate to medical issues (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol level), but they also need to include key statistics on the state of men’s health (or ill health) in Ireland, as well as the contact numbers for helpline and support services that can maintain men's health.

The celebration of Men's Health Week on the island of Ireland during 2024 was funded by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing and the Public Health Agency.

Please use the links below to find out everything that you need to know about MHW 2024 ...

Are you ready for Men's Health Week? Take the Agent Mann Challenge to find out.

Why focus upon men's health?

Do you know your numbers?

Who can be involved in this week?

Planning Group for Men's Health Week 2024

Poster for Men's Health Week 2024

Postcard for Men's Health Week 2024

Men’s Health Week 2024 Graphics Pack

'Action Man - ten top tips for men's health' Man Manual

How to keep up-to-date with the latest MHW 2024 news

What can I do to mark Men's Health Week 2024?

Get some inspiration from what others have done in the past

Raise the profile of Men's Health Week 2024 - Get Tweeting / Posting!

Tell others about your Men’s Health Week 2024 Activities

Men's Health Week 2024 - A Toolbox for Action

Video resources for Men's Health Week 2024

Press Release for Men's Health Week 2024

Take the Agent Mann Challenge ...

Men’s health on the island of Ireland is unnecessarily poor, but it is not a lost cause. There are many free, simple and practical things that can be done to improve it. But what are these?

To support Men’s Health Week in 2022, a team of students (Evan Rawl, Hang Thai, Ewa Leszczewicz, Ben O’Quigley, Darragh Smith and Evan Williams) from the Game Design Degree Course in Technological University Dublin developed a ‘Serious Game’ - focusing on male health - that men and boys can play online. Everyone was offered another chance to play it again this year.

In this retro-style arcade game, the player is invited to take on the character of ‘Agent Mann’ - a spy who is given the mission of tracking down and securing a series of dossiers containing high level ‘Intel’ on how to improve men’s health.

To succeed in his quest, Agent Mann has to navigate through various settings to locate and collect all of the dossiers. Along the way, he has to learn how to move around in his environment and to use some of the gadgets available to him. But of course, danger is never far away, and his path is blocked by the henchmen of his nemesis [Mr O’Bese] who try to prevent him from uncovering this vital information.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to …

1. Take on the role of Agent Mann.
2. Find and secure all of the seven dossiers.
3. Memorise what’s in them.
4. Use this information to improve the health of men both now and in the future.

The action starts with you!

Check out the player guidance by clicking here and play the game at: https://www.mhfi.org/AgentMann

NB: This game is best played on a desktop or laptop computer. Most mobile phones cannot run it. As it was developed within a very short time-scale, there are also some small glitches. Simply ignore these, play away and enjoy the experience!

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Why focus upon men's health?
Not too long ago, we were unaware of the full extent of men’s poor health status and the specific health issues that they must deal with. However, this is no longer the case. In recent years, a broad range of research has highlighted the health challenges which face men in Ireland and further afield. For example ...

Men’s Health in Numbers: Trends Report (PDF, 10.7MB)

Republic of Ireland Men's Health Report Card (PDF, 1.7MB)

Northern Ireland Men's Health Report Card (PDF, 2.07MB)

Getting Inside Men’s Health (PDF, 1.5MB)

Men’s Health in Northern Ireland: Tackling the Root Causes of Men’s [ill] Health (PDF, 965KB)

A Report on the all-Ireland Young Men and Suicide Project (PDF, 2.73MB)

Facing the Challenge - The Impact of Recession and Unemployment on Men’s Health in Ireland (PDF, 1.9MB)

A Report on the Excess Burden of Cancer among Men in the Republic of Ireland (PDF, 2.95MB )

The State of Men’s Health in Europe (PDF, 3.63MB)

Middle-Aged Men and Suicide in Ireland (PDF, 4.49MB) ...

Although the health of men in Ireland is poor, it can be improved in many significant ways. A wide range of innovative and positive work has already taken place to support the health needs of men and boys: Ireland was the first country in the world to have a National Men’s Health Policy which was succeeded by the Healthy Ireland - Men Action Plan (itself, currently being updated); the ‘Engage’ Men’s Health Training and 'MANifest' programmes have influenced how services and structures support males; the CAIRDE initiative is focusing upon reducing male suicide in the construction sector; pioneering approaches have been developed and tested which provide models for improving men’s health; new men’s health / support groups are evolving across the island of Ireland ... Much has been achieved, but there is still room for improvement.

Of course, men, themselves, need to play a central role in taking control of their health and wellbeing. But men’s health is not just an issue for individual men. While it is crucial for men to take responsibility for looking after themselves, their health can often be determined by other factors outside of their personal control. Thus, there is also a need for policy-makers, service providers, and society as a whole to recognise the role that they need to play, and to do something practical about it. This will require everyone to focus attention upon the men and boys around us.

During Men's Health Week 2024, individuals and organisations on the island of Ireland were encouraged to 'Know Your Numbers' (i.e. health statistics, medical 'alarm bells' and helpline / support services), with the key message to everyone being men's health counts. But, more importantly, everyone was also asked to use this information to set themselves simple, realistic and practical tasks to improve the health of men and boys on the island of Ireland.

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Do you know your numbers?

Men's Health Week (MHW) 2024 focused upon three different types of numbers ...

1. Statistics on the state of men's health that policy makers and service providers need to know if they are to pursue evidence-informed practice.

2. Key numbers that men need to know, to take control over some elements of their own health.

3. Critical contact numbers for help and support services that everyone needs to know at times of difficulty or crisis.

To get you started thinking about these important numbers, click here.

However, a new 'Men's Health in Numbers' resource was also created for MHW 2024. This 'z-card' was available in both electronic and hard copy. See what it looks like by visiting: https://www.mhfi.org/MensHealthInNumbers.pdf

Please note, however, that all of the hard copies of the z-card have now been given out.

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Who can be involved in this week?
Men's Health Week (MHW) gives everyone (health professionals, service providers, youth groups, sporting bodies, community organisations, employers, Churches, policy makers, family workers, pharmacists, academics, the media, parents, individuals ...) an opportunity to encourage men and boys to take better care of their health and to seek help or treatment at an early stage.

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Planning Group for Men's Health Week 2024
Men's Health Week (MHW) 2024 in Ireland was planned by a broad range of partners who contributed to an inter-agency all-island Planning Group. This body began meeting in December 2023, and had ongoing communication until the week took place.

The theme for this year’s MHW (i.e. 'Know Your Numbers') offered an opportunity for a very wide range of agencies to participate (via video conferencing, face-to-face meetings and electronic communication), and the planning process drew upon the insight, expertise, support and contacts of individuals from ...

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Poster for Men’s Health Week 2024

To promote Men's Health Week (MHW) 2024, a bespoke poster was designed, using a unique hand-drawn illustration.

Posters were available as both A3 and A4 hard copies, and as online electronic files (in a range of sizes and formats suitable for a variety of uses). Please note, however, that all of the hard copies of these have now been given out.

Copies of the online electronic version of the poster are available for downloading from: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#Poster2024

Even people who didn't have time to do anything else for MHW 2024 were encouraged to put up a poster (in their window or elsewhere) to let everyone know when it was taking place. Although this cost little to do, it made a big difference to promoting the week.

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Postcard for Men's Health Week 2024

Every year since 2014, there has been a Men's Health Week (MHW) postcard to publicise the week. Traditionally, these cards have been displayed as small flyers in public spaces, and are often sent by organisations to the men that they have contact with. This has proved to be a very successful means of letting local men know about the week.

Some groups also use them as 'pledge cards'. For example, this year, men could think about what their ideal number for a specific health condition might be, and write this on the card. Later on, they could keep this beside their desk, on their work bench, attached to their dashboard etc. to remind them of what they wanted to do and hoped to achieve.

The front of the postcard has a similar design to the MHW poster, and the back has a pre-written message about the week which says:

Hi there,

At school, every pupil is told that you need to know your numbers if you are to get on in life. This message is usually not welcomed at the time, but it’s a solid piece of advice.

During Men's Health Week 2024, everyone is - once again - being asked to ‘Know Your Numbers’. Policy makers need to know statistics on the state of men’s health. Men need to know the key health numbers that they should be working towards. Everyone needs to know the numbers for support services at times when things go wrong.

Men’s health really does count. Check out the ‘ACTION MAN’ booklet - for ten top tips on how to improve your health at: https://www.mhfi.org/ActionMan2024.pdf

Have a great week!

This year, the postcards were available in both hard copy and as online electronic files.

Copies of the electronic version of the postcard are available for downloading from: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#Postcard2024

However, all of the free hard copies have now been given out.

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Men’s Health Week 2024 Graphics Pack

One of the key aims for Men's Health Week (MHW) each year is to let as many people as possible know when it is happening. To do this, there needs to be a common set of promotional tools. These were available for free downloading at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html

This page offered generic MHW images, new resources created specifically for MHW 2024, as well as the ones used in previous years. There was a ...

These graphics came in a range of sizes and formats, and groups and individuals were invited to use any or all of these images to promote MHW in any way they could.

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'Action Man - ten top tips for men's health' Man Manual

Research 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 the right choices are made. Men, themselves, have a key role to play in this process.

While some aspects of our health are determined by things which are beyond our personal control (such as genetics, our income, the environment that we live in and our access to services), there are also simple, practical and realistic things which we can all do to improve our health and live a longer life. None of these are rocket science, and many are just plain old straightforward common sense.

During previous Men’s Health Weeks, the Men's Health Forum in Ireland produced a ‘Challenges and Choices’ Man Manual, which was distributed free-of-charge to males throughout the whole island of Ireland. This publication has now been replaced by a new 'Action Man - ten top tips for men's health' booklet.

This booklet doesn't preach or lecture - it simply explains: (i) WHY an action is needed; (ii) WHAT can be done about it; and (iii) HOW to find support if you need it. Thus, the ten top tips put you into the driving seat, and give you the tools and DIY instructions to make positive changes - if you choose to be your own ‘Action Man’.

During MHW 2024, this booklet was made available in both hard copy and in electronic format. A copy of the online version can be downloaded by clicking here.

Unfortunately, all of the hard copies of these booklets have now been given out.

However, if you are based in the Republic of Ireland, and require 25 copies or less, you can order them via the HealthPromotion.ie website. Simply: (i) register for an account; (ii) search for Action Man in the keyword box; and (iii) place your order.

The production of the Man Manuals was funded by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Ireland within the Department of Health, and the Public Health Agency.

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How to keep up-to-date with the latest MHW 2024 news

Everyone was invited to keep up-to-date with the latest news on Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2024 by checking out the MHW Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MensHealthWeek) and Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/MensHealthIRL), and was encouraged to send these links to all their friends.

People who are into social media, were also asked to Tweet about MHW using the hashtags #MensHealthWeek | #KnowYourNumbers | #MensHealthCounts

A raft of free bespoke social media images for MHW in Ireland were also made available at: https://mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html#SocialMedia2024

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What can I do to mark Men’s Health Week 2024?

Everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) each year.

The focus for MHW 2024 (i.e. ‘Know Your Numbers’) lent itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion. However, there was no need to stick rigidly to this particular theme. Anything which promoted the week and encouraged 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 was very welcome!

Some people had the time, energy, resources and skill to plan something elaborate. However, even if this was not possible, there were still many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support - such as putting-up the poster in public spaces, giving out copies of the postcard to men, social media posting, directing men to the Man Manual, giving out the Men's Health in Numbers Z-Card, using the MHW graphics ...

For practical ideas and inspiration, everyone was invited to check-out: 'What Can I Do To Mark This Week?'

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Get some inspiration from what others have done in the past
On Wednesday 20th March 2024, the Men's Health Forum in Ireland joined with the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing to host a webinar focusing on potential ways to mark Men's Health Week (MHW). This event highlighted practical examples of work that HSE staff have undertaken in the past to celebrate the week. Watch this event below ...

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Raise the profile of Men's Health Week 2024 - Get Tweeting / Posting!

Men’s health issues and needs are numerous and complicated. So much so, that we could probably assign a different one to highlight on each day of the year and still have an outstanding pool of ones to explore! However, when preparing for Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2024, the all-island Planning Group felt that it would be useful to draw attention to a specific theme on each day during the week, as well as announce the final countdown to MHW during the week before.

The focus for each day was ...

Friday 7th June: Know your numbers - because men's health counts
Monday 10th June: Trash the ash (and save the cash)
Tuesday 11th June: Prevention is better than cure
Wednesday 12th June: Food for thought
Thursday 13th June: Rethink what you drink
Friday 14th June: Be mind fit
Saturday 15th June: Let’s get physical - be more than a sports spectator
Sunday 16th June: Father's Day - the important role that fathers play in their children's lives

Social media (especially Facebook, Twitter / X, Instagram and TikTok) has become a powerful tool for organisations to spread their message. During Men’s Health Week 2024, everyone was encouraged to ‘Post’ and ‘Tweet’ about it and, when possible, to use the hashtags: #MensHealthWeek | #KnowYourNumbers | #MensHealthCounts

To support this, a range of social media graphics related to the daily themes were available.

For those people who would like to support MHW 2024 using their own social media channels - but who didn't have the time, energy or knowledge to develop their own messages - there was a ready-made pool of Posts and Tweets that they could simply cut-and-paste from. Click here to download these suggestions.

Even loading a few things to websites / Facebook pages / Twitter - X feeds / Instagram / other social media platforms made a huge difference to publicising the week. This was, therefore, an easy and free way to show support for MHW.

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Tell others about your Men’s Health Week 2024 Activities
The Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) always seeks to promote the details of activities / happenings / events that are being held throughout Ireland during Men’s Health Week (MHW). It is hoped that this will help everyone to find out what is happening during the week, where it will be taking place, and how - if possible - to join in. It also gives some recognition and publicity to all those groups across the island that are doing something for and with men.

These activities might include health checks, conferences, launches, games, seminars, competitions, workshops, courses, displays, health fairs, workplace mail-outs ... Whatever the activity, everyone was encouraged to submit their details.

There were two ways to let us know about what was happening during 2024:

Submit the details using the online form or
Download and save a copy of the MS Word Registration Form, type in the details, and email it back to us.

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