International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  During 2025, it will run from Monday 9th until Sunday 15th June.

MHW 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 the 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.

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 shows 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 also a specific theme.  During 2025, the theme for the island of Ireland will be 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Connecting for Health'.

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 2025, individuals and organisations on the island of Ireland are encouraged to stand 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder' and 'Connect for Health.  But, more importantly, everyone is also asked to set themselves simple, realistic and practical tasks to improve the health of men and boys on the island of Ireland.

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

The focus for MHW 2025 (i.e. ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, there is no need to stick rigidly to this particular theme.  Anything which promotes the week and encourages 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 is very welcome!

Some people have the time, energy, resources and skill to plan something elaborate.  However, even if this is not possible, there are still many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support - such as, 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, check-out: 'What Can I Do To Mark This Week?'