Men's Health Month Goes Out with a Bang

    WASHINGTON, DC, June 30, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As June comes to a close, Men's Health Network (MHN) reflects back on Men's Health Month (MHM) and the 20th anniversary of the Congressional passage of National Men's Health Week (NMHW).

Highlights of the month included a special White House briefing recognizing the importance of men's health, the launch of the Men's Health Online Resource Center, and a formal meeting of the Dialogue on Men's Health.

On June 25, the "Men's Health Month and My Brother's Keeper" briefing was held to a packed auditorium at the White House. The briefing addressed such critical men's health issues as cardiovascular disease and mental health, and was streamed live on the White House website. Featured speakers included Broderick Johnson, Assistant to the President, White House Cabinet Secretary and Dr. George Askew, Chief Medical Officer, Administration for Children & Families, HHS.

"We were very excited to see the White House plan and host a briefing on the importance of men's health during Men's Health Month," said Brandon Leonard, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Men's Health Network. "We are encouraged to find agencies and the executive branch engaged in the health and wellbeing of men and boys."

"Men's health is a very quiet epidemic in the United States that has not been recognized as well as in other countries," said Dr Ramon Antonio Perez, FACS, DAB, a Men's Health Network's board of advisors member. "This epidemic does not only affect men, it affects the whole family."

This important awareness period was built around the four pillars of Awareness-Prevention-Education-Family, and has encouraged the development of thousands of health awareness activities throughout the month of June, both in the USA and around the globe. Corporations, hospital systems, clinics, the faith-based community, the public sector, and others use the month of June to highlight their services and reach out to men and their families.

"Men's Health Month is an opportunity to celebrate all the men and boys that are important in our lives," said David K. Popiel MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University. "As a physician, I am reminded to ensure that my male patients are informed of their health and seeking their best mental and physical well-being, which means they are empowered to take ownership of their own health, lead active lifestyles, and have meaningful positive relationships with those around them."

Additionally, MHN launched the Men's Health Resource Center which is designed to be the go-to location for those looking for practical, accessible information on men's health. The website features information about male health including resources on cancers, cardiovascular disease, parenting, and sexual and mental health concerns among many others.

"It always helps to do research when you suspect you have a health issue," said Dr. Salvatore Giorgianni, science advisor to MHN. "The Resource Center contains scientifically accurate material and will function as a trusted friend, providing relevant information to help men, as well as their families and partners, learn about prevention and make informed decisions about their health care needs."

At the close of the month, the Dialogue on Men's Health, featuring key thought leaders within the health community, met to discuss the impact of engaged fathers on their children's health, and the effect of that relationship on the father's health.

Other highlights of Men's Health Month included:

- MHN's 20 Years of Progress report was downloaded by hospital systems and shared with thousands of health care professionals. (http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/mens-health-progress-1994-2014.pdf)

- MHN's #ShowUsYourBlue campaign resulted in hundreds of people participating by posting photos on social media or showing their support through a digital Blue Ribbon. (http://twibbon.com/support/mens-health-awareness)

- The Men's Health Month Twitter chat focused on the importance of taking control of your health and prevention and drew over 7 million impressions from 1200 tweets over the hour.

- MHN executed a successful coast-to-coast Get Old Radio Media Tour with Dr. Jack Watters and Dr. David Gremillion. The interviews leveraged Men's Health Month and highlighted key improvements in men's health and closing the gap with women's longevity, as well as resources to age well and live life to the fullest.

- Key thought leaders in public health such as Bill Corr (Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), Dr. George Askew (Chief Medical Officer, Administration for Children and Families at HHS), Dr. Howard K. Koh, (Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS), and Dr. Kara Odom Walker (Deputy Chief Science Officer in the Office of the Chief Science Officer at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, contributed articles to the popular Talking About Men's Health blog.

- Proclamations from governors and mayors were issued establishing Men's Health Week in their jurisdictions. These can be found at: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/week/proclamation.html

About Men's Health Network

Men's Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. MHN is the promoter of Men's Health Month and Men's Health Week in June. Men can learn more about their health through MHN's new online resource center, www.menshealthresourcecenter.com. Learn more about MHN at www.menshealthnetwork.org and follow us on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork.

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