A Guide To Men's Health Week 2024

Men’s Health Week is an annually held awareness week that was originally organised by the Men’s Health Forum. The week is typically held during the second week of June, and usually has a theme. Previous themes include mental well-being in men, COVID-19 and men’s health, the numbers behind men’s health, diabetes in men, and many more. This article is a comprehensive guide to Men’s Health Week, providing you with all the information you need to know. We will talk about the history of Men’s Health Week, as well as the theme of this year's week.

What is Men's Health Week?

Men’s Health Week is an awareness week that is held annually, with the mission of raising awareness for all things men’s health. This is to raise awareness of preventable health conditions that affect, disproportionately, men. In previous years, the focus of Men’s Health Week has been on the Coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, the themes have moved away from COVID and back towards more general men’s health.

Men’s Health Week was a concept that was originated by the Men’s Health Forum. The Men’s Health Forum is an organisation that aims to provide all men and boys, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the information, resources, and treatments that they need in order to live long and healthy lives.

When is Men's Health Week 2024?

Men’s Health Week is typically held during the second week of June every year. In 2024, the dates of Men’s Health Week are the 10th to the 16th of June.

What is the theme of Men's Health Week 2024?

Men’s Health Week has a different theme every year. Previous themes have included topics such as the internet, COVID-19, Man MOTs and mental health. In 2024, the theme of Men's Health Week is 'P for Prostate'. According to the Men's Health Forum, the theme is inspired by King Charles III who suffered with an enlarged prostate, prompting thousands of men to get theirs checked. The aim of this theme is to get people talking about their prostate health, as well as trying to break the stigma surrouning the topic of the prostate.

What are the top 10 health worries in the UK?

Bupa have put together a helpful map of the top health worries in the UK:

Source: Bupa

According to the map produced by Bupa, the top 10 health worries in the UK are:

1. Weight

2. Mental health

3. Not enough exercise

4. Being physically fit

5. Unhealthy diet

6. Back problems

7. Dental health

8. Joint problems

9. Chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes)

10. Blood pressure

But what about erectile dysfunction?

Other Conditions

What treatments are available for erectile dysfunction?

There are a number of different treatments that are available to you if you struggle with erectile dysfunction, both prescription and over-the-counter. Some of the most popular prescription medications for ED include Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These are all tablet medications. There is also a prescription cream called Vitaros that can help. Over-the-counter options include Viagra Connect and Cialis Together.

What treatments are available for weight loss?

If you are struggling with your weight and are finding it hard to lose weight naturally, there may be some treatment options available to you. Some of the most popular medications for aiding weight loss include Orlistat, Xenical and Saxenda.

What treatments are available for neurological pain?

Neurological pain can be debilitating for the sufferer. There are many different types of neurological pain that can be caused by a number of different conditions. Some popular pain-relieving medications for neuropathic pain include amitriptyline, Flexiseq gel and Duloxetine. 

What treatments are available for back pain?

If you are suffering from back pain then you may be wondering what treatment options are right for you. There are several pain medications that can help with back pain such as Voltarol Back & Muscle Gel and Phorpain Gel.

What treatments are available for joint pain?

Joint pain, like back pain, can be debilitating. Thankfully, there are a number of different pain medications that can help to treat joint pain. Medications that are great for joint pain include Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and Flurbiprofen

What treatments are available for dental health?

Dental health is very important, and maintaining good dental hygiene is imperative for preventing potential dental conditions. Some products that can help maintain dental health include Colgate Duraphat, Bonjela and Blistex Relief Cream.

What treatments are available for high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, is a term that describes a conditions where the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. There are a number of high blood pressure medications that can help to manage the condition such as Ramipril, Amlodipine, Losartan and more.

What exercises can you do to get fitter? 

There are numerous exercises you can do to improve your fitness levels By keeping a good level of fitness you can ensure that you are protected . Here are some examples across different categories:

Which superfoods can boost your health?

While the term "superfood" is not a scientific classification, it is often used to refer to nutrient-dense foods that offer several health benefits. Some well known superfoods include:

• Leafy greens including spinach and kale

• Nuts and seeds such as almonds 

• Fish such as salmon and sardines

• Turmeric

• Green tea

• Greek yoghurt

A balanced diet that includes all different types of food groups. While including these superfoods can provide additional nutritional benefits, it's essential to combine them with other healthy foods as part of a well-rounded diet.

What is the Men's Health Forum's government campaign for a men's health strategy?

The Men’s Health Forum is currently leading a campaign calling on the government to create a men’s health strategy. This strategy is based on statistics regarding the number of men that die at a young age. One in five men will die before they reach the age of 65, and around 40% of men will die before reaching the age of 75. The campaign also highlights the difference between men dying in wealthier areas to those that die in poorer areas. The statistic highlighted is as follows: 

• Male life expectancy in the Bloomfield ward of Blackpool in north-west England is 68.2 years.

• Male life expectancy in the Warfield ward of Bracknell Forest in south-east England is 90.3 years.

• This campaign is also another cause that was highlighted by Men’s Health Week 2022. 

Men’s Health Week is as important now as it ever has been, especially in the world that we live in today. 

When is Men's Health Week 2023?

Men’s Health Week is typically held during the second week of June every year. In 2023, the dates of Men’s Health Week are the 12th to the 18th of June. In 2022, the week was held between the 13th and the 19th of June.

What is the theme of Men's Health Week 2023?

Every year, Men’s Health Week has a different theme. Previous themes include ‘Time for your man MOT’, ‘Mental wellbeing and COVID-19’, ‘Men and COVID-19’, ‘Men’s Health by Numbers’ and more. In 2023, the theme of Men’s Health Week is ‘Men’s health and the internet.’ The tagline for this month is as follows:

‘The iPhone was born in 2007. Those born in the same year will turn 16 this year. They've grown up with a high-performance computer in their pocket. What are the implications for men's health?’

The week will aim to look at exploring the benefits and drawbacks of having a world of information at your fingertips. They also refer to mobile phones as dopamine-delivery devices.

What was the theme of Men's Health Week 2022?

Every year, Men’s Health Week has a different theme. 2022 was the first year for two years that the theme has moved away from COVID-19, and back towards general men’s health. The theme of 2022 was ‘Time for your M.O.T’. This does not mean you need to make an appointment with your mechanic and you should not be worried about failing, it simply means giving yourself time to check both your physical and mental health.

The tagline of 2022 Men’s Health Week was ‘No tread left after the pandemic? Get yourself back on the road. Time for your MOT.’ The Men’s Health Forum wanted men to take notice of what is happening in their minds and their bodies, as well as perform their own DIY man MOT. They also wanted men to go and get an NHS health check, a service that was paused during the coronavirus pandemic but has since returned.

What is a free NHS health check?

An NHS free health check is a service provided by the NHS to people between the ages of 40 and 74. There are some people that are not eligible for the health check, including those that suffer from preexisting conditions. The conditions that make people ineligible include:

• Heart disease

• Chronic kidney disease

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Atrial fibrillation

• Transient ischaemic attack

• Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)

• Heart failure

• Peripheral arterial disease

• Stroke

• Currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol

• Previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

The check is designed to spot the early signs of potentially dangerous conditions. Conditions that the check can detect include strokes, kidney disease, heart disease, dementia and type 2 diabetes.

Why should men have a health check?

It is important that men over the age of 40 who are eligible take part in the free NHS health check as it can spot signs of potentially threatening conditions. Some of the most common conditions for men of a certain age are actually the ones that are looked for during the NHS health check. If you find that you have any of the conditions listed above that make you ineligible for a free health check, you will be receiving regular appointments anyway and will not need a health check.

Can I get a men's health check now?

When you turn 40 you should receive a letter not long after your birthday regarding the free NHS health check. The invitation for the health check will be extended once every five years. If you feel like you require a check more often you can contact your GP in order to make your appointment. You can also use a free online heart age test that is provided by the NHS in order to provide some peace of mind.

Can you do a DIY men's health check?

There are ways that you can check your health when you are at home, and you will not need to visit a GP to do so. As mentioned, the Men’s Health Forum provides instructions for their own DIY man MOT, keeping with the theme of Men’s Health Week 2022. You can also use the NHS free online heart age test to get some insight into your heart and how it is performing. Other than doing a home health check, you should also ensure that you are getting plenty of exercise, as well as making sure that you are eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Sources

Men's Health Forum - Men's Health Week 2024

Men's Health Forum - DIY MOT For A Man

Bupa - Top UK health concerns for 2023 revealed

NHS Health Check

NHS - 111

NHS - Useful Guides: Men's Health Week

NHS Employers - Calendar of national campaigns