Men’s Health Week (MHW) runs from 15 to 21 June. It is developed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) in partnership with HSE Health and Wellbeing.
As we mark International Men’s Health Week (MHW) from 15 to 21 June, the focus across the island of Ireland is clear: ‘One Step at a Time’. Developed by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) in partnership with HSE Health and Wellbeing, this year’s theme acknowledges that for many men, the prospect of ‘getting healthy’ can feel like a massive hurdle. There are both digital and printed resources available to pharmacists from healthpromotion.ie and through the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland to help encourage men to take that first step on the road to a healthier self.
Pharmacists are often the first port of call for men who may be hesitant to engage with health services. The recurring message throughout Men’s Health Week is to encourage men, not to demand perfection, but to facilitate that first small, manageable step. Men’s Health Week is not just a date on the calendar; it is a catalyst for year-round engagement. By championing the ‘One Step at a Time’ message, we can help men in our communities move toward a healthier future — one small, sustainable choice at a time.
Figure 1: Premature mortality Men continue to experience higher rates of premature mortality compared to females across the leading causes of death:The stark reality is that while many men are living healthier and longer lives in recent years, challenges remain. As detailed in Figure 1, men continue to experience higher rates of premature mortality compared to females across the leading causes of death. These figures highlight why targeted action matters.
Men are often more likely to engage in risk-related health behaviours, including higher levels of smoking, alcohol and drug use, and are less likely to engage with primary care and screening services. Social, economic, and structural inequalities also play a major role, with some groups and communities facing particularly significant men’s health challenges.
But Men’s Health Week is not just about raising awareness of preventable health problems for males, it’s about recognising and building on progress. Across Ireland, men are taking positive steps to improve their health every day in workplaces, Men’s Sheds, health centres, communities, sports clubs, families and friendships. By creating supportive environments and practical opportunities, we can help more men take action, not only adding years to life, but life to years.
Whether it’s booking a check-up, getting more active, talking to someone, improving diet, supporting them to talk to a friend — every positive action counts. By adopting the ‘One Step at a Time’ approach, you can help break these daunting statistics down into achievable goals. What this may look like in your pharmacy is through displaying Men’s Health Week materials and sharing the message of ‘One Step at a Time’ with men and signposting them to some useful practical materials as outlined in this article.
Smoking remains a primary driver of chronic disease in men. For men that smoke, giving up smoking is the single best thing they can do to improve their health status. The HSE QUIT message for 2026 aligns perfectly with our theme; focus on staying smoke-free one day at a time until reaching the 28-day mark. The HSE also have a youth vaping prevention campaign targeting both young people and parents to highlight the risks and facts about vaping.
The pharmacist’s role:
While more likely to die by suicide (8 in 10 people who die by suicide are men), men are often less likely to seek support for mental health difficulties. The ‘One Step’ here might simply be starting a conversation. Most people worry about their mental health at some stage in their lives. Men are more likely to find it difficult to talk about emotional challenges and mental health difficulties with friends or family and less likely to go to counselling or seek support for mental health. HSE Mental Health have increased their support for men’s mental health through a range of talk therapies, counselling, phone and online supports (available at www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/men).
The pharmacist’s role:
The updated Every Move Counts guidelines emphasise that any amount of movement is good for your health and many of us need to move much more with research indicating that three in five adults in Ireland are not active enough. For adults (18-64), the goal is at least two hours and 30 minutes to five hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity; or at least one hour and 15 minutes to two hours and 30 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week. The simpler message is to sit less and move more and encourage men to increase their physical activity. One very practical offer in this regard is the Get Active programme. Launched recently by the HSE, the Get Active programme is available through the HSE Health app. This is a free 10-week physical activity plan designed to support people to become more active, and you are sent some practical resources to help you on your way, like a manual and resistance bands.
The pharmacist’s role:
The first step you can take is make your pharmacy a welcome place for men by promoting some of the Men’s Health Week materials in the pharmacy. There is also a large network of agencies and allies promoting men’s health during the week so there may be an opportunity to partner up at local level. You can access campaign resources, including downloadable and printable materials, through the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (mhfi.org) or email healthandwellbeingcommunictions@hse.ie.
Fergal Fox
Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, HSE Health and Wellbeing
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