World Celebrates Men's Health Month, Building Stronger Families and Saving Lives

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2016 -- Around the world people are celebrating June as Men's Health Month. Monday, June 13 is also the start of Men's Health Week, a special awareness period recognized by Congress, which ends on Father's Day, June 19. Men's Health Month is built on the pillars of Awareness–Prevention–Education–Family.

Men's Health Month is credited with the increase in wellness activities for boys and men in all areas of the public and private sectors, resulting in better health outcomes and longer life expectancy. During this time, health care professionals, private corporations, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and other interested groups plan activities that focus on the health and well-being of boys, men, and their families.

"Compared to similarly-aged women, men are less likely to have a regular doctor and health insurance and are more likely to put off routine checkups or delay seeing a health provider after experiencing symptoms," said Darryl Davidson, Director of Men's Health for the Northwest Health Center in Milwaukee. "This month is a reminder to talk to health professionals and to learn about important screenings that assist with finding conditions before they get worse."

Mayors and governors across the country recognize June as Men's Health Month with official proclamations. The proclamations are displayed in Congress and reports on the status of the health and wellbeing on boys and men in each state are available at the State of Men's Health web site.  Free resources are available in both English and Spanish at www.menshealthmonth.com .

Congress joins the celebration with a Congressional Workout, planned for June 22.

"It's been exciting to watch the momentum for Men's Health Month grow every single year," said Brandon Leonard, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Men's Health Network.  "The key to making this a successful awareness period has been working with so many partners around the country - and the world - who are dedicated to improving the health of men, boys and families.  We have also seen tremendous buy-in from policymakers and leaders at the local, state and federal level for raising awareness of male health."

A key part of the continued momentum is the annual, worldwide social media campaign, including:

• #MHMonth16 Twitter chat with the federal Office of Minority Health and other partners 2:00 p.m. EDT on June 8

• The worldwide #MensHealthWeek chat on June 9 at 4:00 p.m. EDT bringing together our international partners to explore men's health in places like Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom

• #ShowUsYourBlue campaign: People all over the world take pictures of themselves and others wearing blue to increase awareness. The social media storm is on Wear Blue Friday, June 17, the Friday of Men's Health Week

Men's Health Month supporters include Pfizer, the Allergan Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, and others.

Men's Health Month and Men's Health Week are sponsored by Men's Health Network(MHN), which maintains a list of experts and spokespersons on all areas of male health and wellness, including fatherhood issues.

MHN's experts can be reached at: [email protected] or 202-543-6461 ext. 101.

About Men's Health Network:

Men's Health Network (MHN) is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Learn more about MHN at www.MensHealthNetwork.org and follow them on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork For more information on MHN's ongoing Dialogue on Men's Health series, visit www.DialogueOnMensHealth.com

CONTACT: [email protected]