MINISTER for Disabilities Finian McGrath launched the new Male Health Website for the Irish Men’s Sheds Association last week.
Speaking at the event, Minister McGrath said:
“Ireland was the first country to adopt a Men’s Health Policy and following a review in 2014 the National Men’s Health Action Plan was launched late last year by the Health Service Executive.Â
“This action plan supports the work of my Department in implementing Healthy Ireland which is a priority in the programme for Government. The need for a continued focus on Men’s Health is grounded in the evidence that men die younger than women and have higher death rates for the leading causes of death including accidents and suicide.Â
“Research suggests that compared to women, men have limited contact with GPs are reluctant users of primary care services and often present late in the course of illness.
“This is a trend we need to reverse over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of Irish men.
“The establishment of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association supports men at local level and strive for a future in which all men have the opportunity to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing within their communities.
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Today there are almost 400 sheds in the island of Ireland with at least three in each county.Â
“Each of these sheds began as a group of men getting together looking at their skills, their life experiences and the needs of their communities and reaching out to create something greater than the sum of its parts,
? said Minister McGrath.
“Men’s Sheds facilitate men to reconnect with their communities reducing social isolation and a study in 2013 indicated that over 90 per cent of men participating in a shed reported improved wellbeing and this is to be applauded. We have many challenges in relation to health across society including Physical Inactivity, Overweight, Tobacco use and Alcohol misuse all requiring sustained efforts at every level in society to bring about change.The development of this dedicated male website is a key milestone in the journey of the Men’s Sheds connecting with men at many different levels and providing them with information and support in relation to their health and wellbeing and I would encourage men to go online and consider what is on offer.
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Visit www.malehealth.ie