Men’s Sheds attract a diverse cohort of men and, as such, have been identified as spaces with the potential to engage marginalised sub-populations with more structured health promotion.  ‘Sheds for Life’ is a 10-week men’s health initiative in Ireland.  When operating in an environment where budgets are limited, an economic evaluation is critical to determine cost-effectiveness and sustainability.  The findings from this study highlight that Sheds for Life is a cost-effective initiative that effectively engages with, and enhances the well-being of, Shed members.  Read all about it at: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/4/2204/htm

Male staff working in the HSE’s CHO 8 area, who are overweight, are invited to apply for a place on a 12 week, online, men-only weight management programme.  This will begin on Wednesday 6th April 2022.  Find out more about it and register for a place at: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/12WeekStaffWeightManagementProgramme2022

See Change has identified the workplace as a key setting for social change around attitudes to mental health problems.  Mental Health Matters is a guide aimed at employers and employees who want to create a workplace culture where everyone feels comfortable having open and honest conversations about mental health.  Download a copy at: https://seechange.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mental-Health-Matters-web.pdf

The findings of the annual Healthy Ireland Survey by the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland are now available.  This survey gathers information on the health and health behaviours of people living in the Republic of Ireland.  The latest survey took place from October 2020 to March 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Thus, these results give an important insight into pandemic health related behaviours.  See: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9ef45-the-healthy-ireland-survey-2021

Early data from several countries, regarding the gendered implications of COVID-19, suggest that men are more likely to die as an effect of infection.  This has been explained by biological factors, and also by behavioural and life-style issues characteristic of men.  What has not been widely discussed, however, is the relationships between men's responses to the crisis, their care activities, and certain models of masculinity that persist in many societies.  This journal article explores this issue: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13505068221076322

Alcohol Action Ireland and University College Cork School of Public Health have published a research paper that provides accurate analysis of the levels of alcohol related death and illnesses in Ireland.  This can be accessed at: https://alcoholireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/filebase/reports/21883_AAI_ICC_GBD_Policy_Paper_v4_online.pdf

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health disorder experienced by men.  If left untreated, anxiety is predictive of psychiatric disorders including depression and associated suicide risk.  Despite the prevalence and impact of men’s anxiety, it remains largely overlooked in the field of men’s mental health.  Find out more about this issue at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44202-022-00035-5

The latest results from the 2020/21 Health Survey Northern Ireland are now available.  This annual survey by the Department of Health reports on a range of health topics.  The interviews took place between June 2020 and March 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and gives an important insight into pandemic health related behaviours.  See the findings at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/hsni-first-results-20-21.pdf