The Final Countdown to Men's Health Week 2022

International Men's Health Week (MHW) begins on Monday 13th June and runs until Sunday 19th June 2022 (Father’s Day).

Not too long ago, we were unaware of the full extent of men’s poor health status and the specific health issues that they are contending 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, see the Men’s Health in Numbers reports. 
 
Yet, although the health of men in Ireland is sometimes poor, it is not a ‘lost cause’ - and it can be improved in many significant ways.  Men, themselves, need to play a central role in taking control of their health and wellbeing.  However, men’s health is not just an issue for individual men and 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.

Men's Health Week 2022 takes place in the context of an easing of the restrictions introduced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.  Worldwide, this virus had a major and disproportionate impact upon men's health as well as their wider lives.  Indeed, for a couple of years now, COVID has placed a myriad of boundaries upon what we have been able to do.  MHW 2022 seeks to reverse this trend, and focuses upon what we can do to take back control of our own health.

This is why the theme chosen for Men's Health Week 2022 is 'MISSION: isPOSSIBLE' and the message to everyone is 'the action starts with you'.

As always, the overarching 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 and activities.
-  Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

However, any and all activities / actions to mark this occasion are very welcome.

To find out more about the week, visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2022.html