In Ireland male life expectancy is almost 5 years lower than female life expectancy  and the leading cause of male deaths is due to cardiovascular  disease at 35% of all male deaths, for example, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and other circulatory diseases. Therefore  it is important to focus on men’s health in order to reduce deaths due to the Number 1 killer - cardiovascular disease.

The Irish Heart Foundation has supported the Men’s Health Week campaign for the last number of years and this year International Men's Health Week (MHW) will run from Monday 13th until Sunday 19th June 2011 (Father’s Day!).  In Ireland, the week will focus upon the health of men and boys during challenging times.  The world of men, and the roles that they play in it, has changed dramatically in a very short period of time. The message for this week will be ‘let’s talk about it’. 

Some  of the issues that need to be talked about:

the huge impact of the current recession on men their livelihoods and their families;

• men living longer, but not, necessarily, healthier
• the range of acute and chronic illnesses (many preventable) facing men;
  
• the expanding role of fathers;
• an increase in obesity;
  
• the decline in healthy eating, physical activity and exercise;
  
• depression and the high male suicide rate;
  
• where men  can find support;
  
• what is needed to improve men’s health and well-being?

Poster campaign
To highlight Men's Health Week (MHW) 2011, local comedians Joe Rooney (Father Ted and Killinaskully) and Paul Tylak (Stew and Messers Tylak and Rooney) are starring in an Ireland-wide poster campaign to raise awareness of the week.  The message for men is “These are challenging times. It’s no joke. Let’s talk”. If you would like further information or to promote Men’s Health Week in your workplace, community or family please visit www.mhfi.org

Competition
To encourage men to get more involved in Men’s Health Week 2011, an interactive version of the poster has been produced and is available online.  This poster features the two main characters with ‘thought bubbles’ coming out of their heads.  Males from across Ireland (aged 16 years and over) are being invited to submit suggestions as to what the men in the poster might be thinking about during these ‘challenging times’ - especially in relation to their own health and well-being.

MHFI and ICS are inviting men to enter a free, island-wide, poster caption competition.  They are also asking local groups that work with men to encourage their members to join in.  For further details visit www.mhfi.org
Heart Month 2011

The Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Month in September 2011 will run an information campaign in relation to men and heart health and a strong hitting TV ad campaign, also in the autumn, will highlight the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

If you have a query or concern in relation to heart health please call our heart and stroke helpline on 1890 432 787