This
year, the theme for Men’s Health Week in Ireland is “It’s all about HIM”, and
asking “How are you doing?”. In comparison to women, men suffer far more from
ill health and premature death. To alleviate this inequality, and to give the
men of Ireland some much needed attention regarding their health.
- · 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.
According
to the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland,
there are 3 overall aims of Men’s Health Week 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.
Many of the illnesses suffered by men are preventable by lifestyle change, and this week is about empowering men to become more aware of their health and taking control of their own lives. Without this, the health inequalities between men and women are only set to widen.