Men's Health Week 9 - 15 June 2008

The aim of National Men's Health Week is to raise awareness of key health issues for men and to work towards improving the health of men. The week, the seventh such event, will focus on men in the workplace.

Why focus on men's health?

According to a range of measures, men's health is poor. Men are less likely to access primary care services, particularly GP and pharmacy services. When men do have an illness they normally access primary care services at a later stage of an illness than women.

General health statistics

  • Compared to the wider population, Indian, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean and Irish men are at greater risk of heart disease and stroke.

  • Men in routine or manual jobs are more likely to smoke and have chronic health problems than other men.

  • Men are increasingly unlikely to consult a doctor.

  • Men take risks. Two in five (39%) drink too much, more than one in four (28%) smoke and one in three younger men (35%) use illegal drugs.

  • Diagnoses of prostate cancer are up by over a third and testicular cancer up by 15% since the 1993.

  • Men are now more likely to have a psychotic disorder than women.

  • It is estimated that men, on average, lose three more days from work than women as a result of an illness caused or made worse by work.

  • Work-related stress accounts for over a third of all new incidences of ill health.

  • HSE provisional data for 2005/6 shows that men are 13 times more likely than women to suffer a work-related fatality.

Statistics sourced from Men's Health Forum

Back to top

What's on in Woking

Woking Borough Council  in conjunction with the Evolve Fitness Suite at Woking Leisure Centre are organising a range of activities to promote Men's Health Week.

Health checks

Free health checks will be located throughout Woking during the week. Find out what your blood pressure is, check your body fat percentage, see what your lung capacity is or test your coordination with our `drinking goggles' on. Smoking cessation advisors will be available to provide information and advice to interested parties. Plenty of information will also be available regarding a range of health and well-being issues.

Health check locations:

Peacocks Centre, Woking (outside River Island)

Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 June, 11.30am - 1.30pm

Woking Town Square

Wednesday 11 June, 1pm - 1.45pm 

Woking Salvation Army (Sythwood, Goldsworth Park)

Thursday 12 June, 12 noon - 1.30pm

Sheerwater Neighbourhood Office (Dartmouth Ave, Sheerwater)

Friday 13 June, 1pm - 4pm 

Cycling

Open air spin class - cycle for charity!

Wednesday 11 June 2008, 1pm - 1.45pm 

Woking Leisure Centre is taking `ICE Indoor Cycling' outdoors to Woking Town Square in this exciting event for charity. Individuals or teams of three men are encouraged to take part to raise awareness of men's health and support the Prostate Cancer Charity. So why not challenge your mates and see how much fun ICE cycling can be! The event is a great way for local businesses to get involved - join in on the class and wear your company t-shirt or place a free standing company sign by your bike!

Cost: £10 (covers an individual cycling for 45 minutes or a team of three each cycling for 15 minutes)

Numbers are limited and registration is essential. Register now to avoid disappointment! Contact Simone Grundy, Health and Well-being Development Officer on 01483 743692, email simone.grundy@woking.gov.uk or download and complete the registration and pre-exercise registration forms.

Lunch time swimming

Mon 9 to Fri 13 June, 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Take advantage of free transport from Woking town centre to the Pool in the Park for an enjoyable lunch-time swim. Men will receive half price swimming each weekday lunch-time during Men's Health Week. The bus will depart at 12.30pm sharp from outside the Civic Offices, Gloucester Square (near the fountain) and return by 1.30pm.

Special Men's Health Week lunchtime walk

Thursday 12 June, 12.30pm - 1.20pm

Calling all men (and women) to join our healthy lunchtime walk! The walk will last for approx. 45 - 50 minutes and will depart from the Civic Offices, Woking, near the fountain. Remember to wear sensible walking shoes and bring a drink. The lunch-time walks are a great way to burn off office stress, stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

Back to top

Men's Health Forum   www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Packed with advice, tips and details of how men can check their own health and use health professionals more effectively, providing practical resources so men can lead healthier, happier lives.

NHS Choices: Your health, your choices

A broad range of information about men's health, divided into sections according to age.

Teen boys

Men 18 - 39

Men 40 - 60

Men over 60

Know your limits   www.knowyourlimits.gov.uk/units/index.php

An NHS Choices webpage about alcohol and your health.

Prostate Cancer Charity   www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

The Prostate Cancer Charity plays an important role in raising public awareness about prostate cancer, providing support and information and funding research.

British Heart Foundation   www.bhf.org.uk

As the nation's heart charity, the British Heart Foundation focuses on investing in research, supporting and caring for heart patients and providing vital information to help people reduce their own risk of dying prematurely from a heart or circulatory illness.

Blood Pressure Association   www.bpassoc.org.uk

The Blood Pressure Association is a UK registered charity, that provides information and support to people with high blood pressure.

For any enquires relating to Men's Health Week contact Simone Grundy, Health and Well-being Development Officer, Woking Borough Council on 01483 743692 or email simone.grundy@woking.gov.uk