This report aims to provide information and guidance to community nurses who want to work more effectively on men’s health.  At its core, is information about a range of men’s health and wellbeing projects that the Queen's Nursing Institute (UK) supported in 2017 - with funding from the Burdett Trust for Nursing.  The report also includes wider information on men’s health, as well as details of support and resources available.  Download a copy at: www.qni.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Mens-Health-Report-2018-1.pdf

Gender and sex have a considerable effect on an individual's experience of the workplace and their health.  While a lot of attention has been given to the effect, on women’s lives, of their increasing participation in the labour force, less attention has been paid to the changes that male workers have seen during the same period.  This report - by the Work Foundation in the UK - finds that: "evidence suggests that there may be a need to look at mental health and related support services through a 'male lens', incorporating the role of work as an important influence, and the workplace as a setting for providing support".  It also makes a series of recommendations aimed at employers, service providers and the government.  A copy of this report can be accessed at: www.theworkfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/mens_mental_health_work.pdf

AWARE NI is running three 'Living Life to the Full' programmes in January 2019.  The programme runs for six weeks, and can help participants to manage their feelings when they are stressed, worried or depressed by offering simple, practical skills to help them cope with life’s challenges.  These programmes will take place in Dungannon (starting 16th January), Newry (starting 17th January) and Craigavon (starting 18th January) - running from 10.30am to 12.30pm on each day.  For further information, see: www.aware-ni.org/wellbeing-programmes/living-life-to-the-full

What are the links between masculine norms and men’s health outcomes?  What implications do these links have for efforts to improve men’s health as part of broader efforts to create healthier, thriving societies? …  Promundo has just published an Executive Summary of its new report titled: 'Masculine Norms and Men's Health: Making the Connections'.  This document seeks to provide an overview of the current state of men's health globally, and to illustrate the direct connections between health-risk behaviours and hegemonic masculine norms.  You can download a copy of it at: https://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Masculine-Norms-Mens-Health-Executive-Summary-1.pdf

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men and affects up to one in forty people in Ireland.  It is a very painful form of arthritis.  Gout is a chronic long-term condition that, if not properly managed, can affect you for your whole life.  It is also linked to other medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some heart diseases.  Like these conditions, the correct treatment and lifestyle choices are key to preventing serious long-term effects.  Despite being stereotyped as affecting those who indulge in a lavish lifestyle, anyone can, in fact, get gout.  Your genetic and biological make-up can play a large part in whether you develop the condition.  Arthritis Ireland has produced a range of information and resources about living with gout, including a dedicated booklet and video series.  To find out more, visit: www.arthritisireland.ie/livingwithgout

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland recently issued a report on Northern Ireland’s Health Survey 2017/18.  This analyses information on the health behaviours of the population, and includes responses from 3,355 people, aged 16 and over, living in private households in Northern Ireland.  The report gives an overview of topics such as general health, mental health, long-term conditions, sense of wellbeing, use of IT to improve health, smoking, alcohol consumption, weight, diet etc.  Copies of the report, and the associated technical data, can be accessed online at: www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health-survey-northern-ireland-first-results-201718

‘Heads Up’ (previously known as Mojo) will be delivering a short six week programme for men aged 18+ in the New Year.  This will focus upon personal development, stress reduction and choice theory, and will take place in the ACE Enterprise Park, Bawnouge, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.  The course will begin on 14th January 2019, and run from 2.00pm - 4.00pm each week.  For more information, contact Catherine Mooney at Tel: 087 1471152  |  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, is running four, free, six week, stop smoking courses next year.  These courses are open to any smoker who would appreciate support to quit smoking.  The courses are run on Monday evenings, from 5.30pm - 7.00pm, each week for the six weeks.  Although they are open to anyone, you must register for a place in advance with the hospital’s Health Promotion Staff via Tel: 01 2214958 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   The courses are completely free, but you will have to pay a deposit of €20 at the first session which will be returned at the last session.