In an effort to draw attention to issues around men’s health, the Men’s Health Forum charity in Ireland has launched a 32 page man manual, entitled Challenges and Choices, in aid of Men’s Health Week, which runs from Monday June 9 to Sunday June 15.
The core aims of Men’s Health Week are to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for all males of all ages, to support men to engage in healthier lifestyle activities, and to encourage the early detection of health difficulties in men. The theme for 2014 is ‘‘Challenges, Choices, and Celebrations’’.
Released on Friday May 30, the manual was written by Dr Ian Banks, president of the European Men’s Health Forum, and is based on his successful series Haynes Manuals for Men. The aim of Dr Banks’s work is to promote health issues in a straightforward, step-by-step, way.
The Challenges and Choices man manual issues 10 simple challenges to men. With each challenge relating to an aspect of male health, it offers three choices for action, (Do nothing, Do it yourself, Find an expert ), and explains the consequences of each option.
Michael Lynch, chairperson of the Men’s Health Forum, stated: ‘‘Interest in men’s health is certainly increasing’’ and ‘‘Men, themselves, are rising to the challenge,and seeking information to help them to make positive choices. With the publication of this manual, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland is delighted to be able to support this movement, and to make Men’s Health Week 2014 a time for new beginnings.’’
Production of the Challenges and Choices manual has been funded by the Health Service Executive and the Man Matters Project, supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
For more information, visit www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2014 html#Challenges.
