Put your heart into Men's Health Week 2012

Premature male heart disease isn't just a personal tragedy, it costs the economy £5.3 billion a year.

Taking Heart: Promoting Heart Health in Men, 11-17 June 2012

• Register for Men's Health Week 2012 here

Why heart disease?

Because put simply, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death – and premature death – for men in the UK. Heart disease disproportionately affects men and especially men in the lower income groups.

• 49,665 men in the UK die each year from coronary heart disease compared to 38,571 women.
• 20,850 men die prematurely (before 75 years) from heart disease compared to 7,408 women.
• Men aged 35-64 are about four times more likely than women to die from heart disease.
• Men in occupations defined as ‘routine’ are almost three times as likely as ‘high managerial and professional’ men to die from heart disease.
• Men are almost twice as likely as women to develop angina and one-and-a-half times more likely to experience heart failure.
• Men are twice as likely to have a heart attack.
• Men are much more likely to receive inpatient treatment for heart disease.
• Men are more likely to be overweight (with a body mass index of 25+), have high blood pressure, or diabetes, all of which increase the risk of heart disease
• Men are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol above recommended levels, and have a poorer diet.
• Overall, heart disease is estimated to cost the UK economy £9bn a year. Given that men are 60% more likely than women to develop heart disease, the cost to the economy of men with heart disease could be about £5.3bn a year. The direct healthcare costs alone for men are likely to be about £2bn a year.

All the stats above are from P.Scarborough, et al, Coronary heart disease statistics, 2010 edition (British Heart Foundation)

• Register for Men's Health Week 2012 here

The Week’s Objectives

Men’s Health Week 2012 has two main campaign objectives - health promotion and fundraising.

Health promotion objectives:

• Educate the general public about key early indicators and symptoms of heart disease in men
• Promote healthy behaviour for men as a preventative measure for heart diseases
• Engage behaviour influencers (especially partners and family members) to support men in being proactive about their health and lifestyle
• Empower men in disadvantaged and vulnerable groups to adopt healthy behaviours, to consider regular health screening and to use of other available health services
• Provide men with local and nationwide opportunities and resources to improve their health
• Support local and nationwide service providers and voluntary groups with resources and tools to promote better male health.

Fundraising objectives:

• Raise £150,000 cash contributions from individual donors
• Raise £150,000 cash contributions from corporate donors
• Raise £150,000 in-kind contribution from corporate and individual donors

Who we are trying to reach?

• Males aged 30+, who are fathers from all walks of life. The key message for this group is look after your heart so you can be there for your children.
• Men aged 16-50, who are sons and who care about their fathers. The key message for this group, and the next, is encourage and support your father to look after his heart so he can be there for you.
• Women aged 16+, who are daughters or partners who care about the man in their life
• Men and women 16+ who wish to pay tribute to deceased father.
• Public sector health and social care organisations - MHF’s existing list consists of over 8,000 organisations across United Kingdom such as central government agencies, PCTs, public health directorates, local authorities and social care providers
• Third sector organisations serving men - there are over 9,000 organisations across United Kingdom with various programmes targeting the male population.

Activities and events

Activities

• Production and distribution of men’s health resources with a focus on heart disease prevention
• National health promotion and fundraising advertising campaign with a Father’s Day theme using print, web and cinema media platforms (one month)
• Local advertising campaign to promote the Week’s activities and events, organised by local and regional partners - health care providers, workplaces, sports organisations, voluntary and community groups

Events

• National Launch Event in central London to provide a venue for networking for the campaign’s partners and sponsors, as well as to raise funds for MHF’s work.
• National Conference on heart disease in men which will aim to inform policy and practice through the dissemination of existing and new knowledge and by identifying gaps in knowledge
• Various local events, organised by local and regional partners - health care providers, workplaces, sports organisations, voluntary and community groups
• Various national and local public relations events

Background

National Men’s Health Week was first held in June 2002 and since then it has grown steadily in size and impact. In the past 10 years, the campaign has provided a focal point for individuals and organisations with an interest in improving men’s health. It is now firmly established as a key part of the public health calendar. Each year the campaign focuses on a different area of men’s health.

This year’s campaign will broaden its target audience reach further and launch an annual fundraising appeal. In order to accomplish this expansion successfully, we will use the Father’s Day marketing theme to construct our promotional and marketing messages to the general public.

Get involved!

• Register for Men's Health Week 2012 here

We very much want to hear from you if you as an individual or organisation would like to take an active part in the Week. Please contact Renata Pucci at r.pucci@menshealthforum.org.uk