International Men’s Health Week, 10 - 16 June 2024 | Importance & Theme

International Men’s Health Week (MHW) is a global healthcare event, typically celebrated every year. This year 2024, it will be celebrated in between 10th to 16th June, intending to recognise and address health issues in addition to early diagnosis and promoting the importance of screening tests in men and boys for the last 21 years.

Importance of Men’s Awareness Health Week

There are numerous instances in which men's health is inferior to women. As per World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2015, the average male life expectancy was 69.1 years, while the average female life expectancy was 73.8 years.

Male life expectancy was never more than female life expectancy in any country. As per the research database ONS (2015b) data, it was estimated men over the ages of 75 and 65 will be more than double to 52 lakhs and 114 lakhs, respectively, between 2014-2039. Numerous chronic diseases will impact many of these males throughout the upcoming years. 

Men are less likely to recognise the warning signs of diseases like cancer than women. In addition, older men are more prone to experience the detrimental consequences (negative effects) of social isolation on their mental health, resulting in decreased quality of life.

Many medical professionals and government officials still fail to recognise or even acknowledge the importance of men's mental health. Even in countries that have paid more attention to men's health, most projects have been on a very small scale. Sedative lifestyle and risk habits (such as drinking, consuming fat-rich foods, and smoking) and underusing health services such as screening are major contributors to men's poor health.

Men’s Health Week 2024 theme 

This year, 2024, the theme of Men's Health Week is "Men's Health Checks". This theme focuses on raising awareness of preventable health issues among men and encouraging early detection and treatment of diseases.

Year-by-Year Themes for Men’s Health Week

• Men’s Health Week Theme 2023 (12-18 June): Healthy Habits
• Men’s Health Week Theme 2022 (13-19 June): Building Healthy Environments for Men and Boys
• Men’s Health Week Theme 2021 (14-20 June): Better mental health in a Covid world
• Men’s Health Week Theme 2020 (15-21 June): Take Action on Covid-19
  

History of International Men’s Health Week

Six dedicated men’s health organisations first initiated International Men's Health Week. This gathering resulted from early discussions about the necessity of coordinating awareness campaigns worldwide in 2001 at the 1st World Congress on Men's Health. Later, it was formally recognised during the second global men's health conference held in Vienna, Austria, in 2002.

Recommendations for health care screening for men beginning at age 20 and beyond

It is advised to visit a primary care physician once a year for a full physical examination, including blood pressure, height, and weight.

• Blood cholesterol levels should be checked once every five years.
• Based on the presence of risk factors, they should have screenings for skin cancer, STDs, HIV, and substance misuse (drugs).
• Schedule screening tests for testicular cancer, diabetes, thyroid, and liver problems once a year.
• At the age of 30, screening for coronary heart disease (CHD) should be done if there is a strong family history and/or risk factors for CHD.
• At the age of 40, screening for thyroid disease, liver diseases, anaemia, and prostate cancer should be done.
• At age 50, screen for cholesterol every five years, followed by yearly screening for skin cancer, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, lipid disorders, and lung cancer, in addition to vaccination against shingles.
• At the age of 60, have an ultrasound of the carotid artery and check for signs of depression, osteoporosis, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm; if they exist, immediate screening for the same is recommended.
• At 70, screening may be performed every six months, depending on the previous findings.
  

Recommendations for Longevity in Men

• Making more friends irrespective of gender and age.
• Abstaining tobacco and practice of self-medication (nonprescriptive drugs).
• Limitation of alcohol intake and excessive exposure to the sun.
• Consumption of "vitamins" or "herbs" that has been endorsed by credible medical resources, rather than just the product's maker (manufacturer).
• Healthy weight should be maintained.
• For youngsters, avoid hanging out with people who promote risky behaviours, such as texting or talking while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or not taking safety measures while riding a bike or motorcycle, is advisable.
• A prostate-friendly seat is recommended while driving on a bike or motorcycle in order to reduce the risk of prostatitis.
• Accompanying people with a good sense of humour as laughing will boost endorphin levels and, in turn, increase lifespan.
  

Department of General Medicine