NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK 2008:

Aims and activities

For NMHW, the MHF will be seeking to work with government, the NHS, individual employers and employer's organisations, trade unions, third sector organisations with an interest in the workplace and others to improve the health of men at work.

It will:

• adopt a positive approach by highlighting and encouraging good practice;
• signpost how health professionals and others working with men in the workplace can seek to improve their health outcomes;
• demonstrate to employers that there is a sound business case for action to improve the health of their male staff, especially for companies employing large numbers of men.

It will cover three broad areas:

1. Men and health and safety and risk avoidance at work

 The Week will increase men's awareness of 'traditional' health and safety issues (work-related accidents and ill-health, both physical and mental) and encourage employers and trade unions to develop a gender-sensitive approach (.g. literature specifically designed for men).

A significant proportion of men's health problems are work-related, (eg. caused by accidents, exposure to hazardous substances and stress). This is also an important inequalities issue as men in disadvantaged groups are more likely to be affected by work-related health problems.

2. The workplace's potential as a setting for improving the health of men

The workplace is not relevant just as a setting for the prevention of occupational health problems. There is good evidence that, even though men are reluctant to access mainstream health services, especially primary care, they will use services provided at work and take part in health improvement initiatives (e.g. weight management).

3. The government's health, work and well-being strategy

MHF is a signatory of the Health, Work and Well-being Charter and will seek to work within the government's strategy and to use NMHW to promote it more widely. By developing work in partnership with the government, the NHS and other public sector organisations, the MHF will also be able to support their compliance with the gender equality duty, established by the Equality Act 2006, which requires action to address the specific needs of both men.

NMHW 2008 activities

The activities during the Week include:

• Local events, organised by individual workplaces or local or regional forums, men's health groups, PCTs, Chambers of Commerce, local health and welfare groups etc etc. Examples of such initiatives include 'MOT' checks for men or health improvement campaigns on lifestyle issues. Information and advice on running a successful event.
• Publication of resources that can be used on a long-term basis. These can be for the use of individual men and/or resources for professionals. MHF can produce generic materials such as booklets or web-based information  that could be used across a large number of workplaces. Bespoke materials can also be produced for individual businesses.
• A national conference on men and work which highlights good practice and supports the development of policy. 
• A meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Men's Health on the issue plus, if possible, a parliamentary debate.
• The publication of MHF policy on men and work.
• A launch event and national/local PR/media activity.
• The MHF will be putting man in the dock in central London in a mock trial asking who is responsible for the ill health of the nation's male? Policy makers or man himself. More details to follow.

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