In Western countries, a significantly greater proportion of men (relative to women) are overweight and obese.  Despite this, relatively few weight loss interventions have been developed that target men.  This lack of male-focused initiatives may be because ‘traditional’ weight loss programmes are unappealing to, what is considered, a ‘hard-to-reach’ population.  However, one programme that appears to appeal to men is the ‘MAN v FAT’ football programme in the United Kingdom.  This encourages men’s participation in a community-based intervention that incentivises weight loss through participation in a football league and, since 2016, has supported the weight loss efforts of several thousand men.  Read more at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324325

Last year, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) launched its 'Real Cost of Cancer' report.  This research highlighted the need to examine the barriers faced by those previously diagnosed with cancer who seek to return to work.  ICS wants to hear from people with experience of this issue, in order to make recommendations for change and to develop best practices for both people returning to the workplace and their employers.  An online questionnaire is open to anyone aged 18-65, who has been diagnosed with cancer in the last ten years, and who was in paid employment (including self-employment) at the time of their most recent diagnosis / episode.  It takes about 15 minutes to complete.  ICS is particularly keen to hear from men.  You can participate at: www.cancer.ie/returningtowork

Gender equality is a central component of any humanitarian development response.  In the context of COVID-19, this is also the case.  Women and men, boys and girls are all affected by COVID-19.  Much of the commentary, to date, has focused on the impact upon women and the secondary consequences of COVID (such as domestic violence) upon them.  However, men seem more prone to severe episodes of the disease, and are more likely to die than women.  Men also work in some sectors of the economy (e.g. transport and construction) that might put them at a higher risk.  On Friday 17th July 2020, the Irish Global Health Network and ESTHER Alliance for Global Health Partnerships ran a webinar focusing upon how men are affected by COVID-19 and how responses are addressing the particular needs of men.  A recording of the proceedings can be watched at: https://youtu.be/wlYabT0MKv0

During Men’s Health Week 2020, Global Action on Men’s Health (GAMH) launched a new report titled: 'From the Margins to the Mainstream: Advocating the inclusion of men’s health in policy'.  This examines the policy response to men’s health to date, the barriers to policy development, the currently-available opportunities and, most importantly, the policy priorities and the next steps necessary for their achievement through effective advocacy.  Download a copy of the report at: http://gamh.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/From-the-Margins-to-The-Mainstream-Report.pdf

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland is inviting you to take part in an online, anonymous, international survey to help understand how people are coping during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The survey has been developed by the International Loneliness and Social Isolation Research Network (I-LINK) that includes the Institute of Public Health along with Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin and Maynooth University, as well as colleagues from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.  The study seeks to learn about the issues people are facing, and how they are managing with social distancing and changes to everyday life - so gaining valuable insights into life before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, including key challenges and coping strategies.  If you would be willing to participate in this survey, visit: https://bit.ly/36PxDg1

On Thursday 27th August 2020, the HSE Obesity Management Clinical Programme is hosting the second annual Obesity Summer School - which will be held virtually this year.  This online event is supported and hosted by the HSE and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, and will combine public information seminars with a range of topics for health care professionals.  The day will run from 10.00am - 2.30pm.  Registration is free, and open to all people living with, or interested in, overweight and obesity - including members of the public, healthcare professionals and policy makers.  Find out more / register at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/hse-virtual-obesity-summer-school-2020-registration-114256068978

It's #MensHealthWeek 2020 and time to start #RestoringTheBalance ...

 

We’re now only days away from International Men's Health Week (MHW), which begins on Monday 15th June and runs until Sunday 21st June 2020 (Father’s Day).

2020 has been an exceptional year in many ways.  As the island of Ireland emerges from, what might be, the first wave of COVID-19, individuals across the country are trying to re-build their lives, relationships, jobs, finances, physical health, emotional resilience, connections and routines.  Some people are still living with trauma and bereavement.  Others are having to re-focus their priorities and to find new ways of living.  Everyone's mental health has been impacted to some degree, and there is a need to find some new form of stable, realistic and relevant equilibrium - at least in the short-term.  However, as these have been almost unprecedented times, this process is likely to be slow, gradual and incremental.

This is why the theme chosen for Men's Health Week 2020 on the island of Ireland is 'Restoring the Balance'.  To make this happen, everyone needs to ‘be part of the solution’, and to do something practical to improve both their own health and the health of the men and boys that they have contact with.

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-2020.html