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International Men's Health Week (IMHW) is an international week celebrated in several countries the week preceding and including Father's Day to focus on issues facing men's health. International Men's Health Week began at an international level in 2002 when representatives from six men's health organizations around the world met in a meeting organized by Men's Health Network at the 2nd World Congress on Men's Health in Vienna, Austria, and resolved to work together to launch IMHW. This meeting followed preliminary discussions in 2001, at the first World Congress on Men's Health, about the need to coordinate awareness periods around the globe.
Observers of IMHW are sometimes seen wearing a blue ribbon as a symbol of their support for the fight against prostate cancer. However, problems affecting men's health extend far beyond prostate cancer and other commonly recognized men's illnesses. Physicians and men's health activists mark IMHW with awareness campaigns to highlight additional health concerns such as diabetes, osteoporosis, family health, workplace accidents, and men's higher likelihood of suicide or being a victim of homicide.
The European Men's Health Forum returned to Austria in 2005 to create the Vienna Declaration which serves as a plan of action for improving the state of men's health. According to the Society for Men's Health and Gender, the five main points of the Vienna Declaration are:[ citation needed ]
The aim of IMHW is slightly wider than its domestic equivalent, aiming to increase awareness of general male health issues and to encourage inter- and intra-national institutions to provide better care for health issues affecting men around the world. Some affiliates of IMHW include The Men's Health Forum in England and Wales, Men's Health Society of BC, in British Columbia, Rotary International, the San Maarten Public Health Department in the Netherlands Antilles, the Men's Health Information and Resource Centre in Australia [1] and Men's Health Network in the United States and other countries.
Although IMHW is most widely observed in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States, there has been collaboration with reproductive and sexual health programs for men in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia as well.
Because men's health is still an emerging issue, IMHW has been helpful in bringing awareness of the issue to areas where men's health has yet to become accepted. Countries in which men's health has come to be viewed as a more legitimate concern have collaborated with men's health activists elsewhere.
Men's Health Week, celebrated annually during the week preceding and including Father's Day, honors the importance of men's health and wellness. Men's Health Week was chosen for this specific time of year to make use of the extra attention paid to male family members near the holiday. Observing Men's Health Week is meant to educate the public about what can be done to improve the state of men's health and provide free and convenient health services to men who wouldn't otherwise receive such care.[ citation needed ]
Men's Health Week was created by Congress in 1994 to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. [4] The bills creating Men's Health Week were sponsored by former Senator Bob Dole and former Congressman Bill Richardson. [4] The sponsors cited the cost-effectiveness of a shift from treatment to prevention in health care emphasis when presenting the bill. The supporters of Men's Health Week also noted that prevention requires public awareness and designating a week would spread information on preventing illnesses affecting men, which includes nationwide events and screenings. "I especially thank Jimmy Boyd of the men's health network for ... tireless efforts on behalf of this legislation," Congressman Bill Richardson (NM), upon Congressional passage of Men's Health Week in 1994.{Congressional Record, May 24, 1994}
The governors of the states and territories in the USA have adopted the week, as have the mayors of many of the major cities. The proclamations are display on the Men's Health Month / Men's Health Week website. [5] Typical Men's Health Week events include educational lectures by sports figures, free health screenings, health fairs, and seminars. [2] Men's Health Week events are planned so that they are easily attended even by men with a full work schedule. Things to do can be found on the official Men's Health Month website. Although not officially recognized by Congress, men's health activists observe Men's Health Month throughout June.
Men's Health Week expanded to an international level when representatives from six men's health organizations around the world met at the 2nd World Congress on Men's Health in Vienna, Austria in 2002 and resolved to work together to launch International Men's Health Week (IMHW). The aim of IMHW is slightly wider than its domestic equivalent, aiming to increase awareness of general male health issues and to encourage inter- and intra-national institutions to provide better care for health issues affecting men around the world. Some affiliates of IMHW include Men's Health Forum in England and Wales, The Men's Health Forum Scotland (MHFS), Men's Health Network (USA and other countries), Australasian Men's Health Forum and Men's Health Society of BC, in British Columbia, Rotary International, and the San Maarten Public Health Department in the Netherlands Antilles.[ citation needed ]
Friday of Men's Health Week has been officially named Wear BLUE Day for the week. [3] Organizations and individuals can host a Wear BLUE day to raise awareness and money for education about men's need to seek regular checkups, or testicular cancer education, prostate cancer education, or other health issues that affect men. (Cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, gout, and more.) Wear BLUE was created by Ana Fadich-Tomsic, MPH, CHES of Men's Health Network to raise awareness about the importance of male health and to encourage men to live longer and healthier lives. Many people take advantage of less stringent work attire to show their support of men's health by wearing blue. The social media hashtag has #ShowUsYourBlue has grown over the years
Blue Monday is the official kickoff for National Men's Health Week, [6] [7] proclaimed by President Clinton in 1994. [8] Created by Dr. Michael Lutz from the Michigan Institute of Urology nonprofit Men's Health Foundation, Blue Monday was first recognized in 2015 by the Michigan Senate designating Blue Monday as the kickoff for Men's Health Week. [9] The bipartisan resolution proclaims "Blue Monday" as a day to kick off Men's Health Week and promote men's health engagement, education and advocacy. [10] [11] One in seven men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1 in 38 will die, [12] [13] even though prostate cancer is 100% curable when caught early. The goal of Blue Monday is to create awareness of men's health issues worldwide and to save lives. [14] The first Blue Monday, June 15, 2015, was recognized and promoted in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin, [15] Canada, [16] and Florida. Blue Monday continues to grow each year and the Men's Health Foundation has partnered with the nonprofit Men's Health Initiative [17] and together they are working to achieve international recognition for Blue Monday. [18] [19]
Prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of prostate tissue is usually detected through screening tests, typically blood tests that check for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Those with high levels of PSA in their blood are at increased risk for developing prostate cancer. Diagnosis requires a biopsy of the prostate. If cancer is present, the pathologist assigns a Gleason score, and a higher score represents a more dangerous tumor. Medical imaging is performed to look for cancer that has spread outside the prostate. Based on the Gleason score, PSA levels, and imaging results, a cancer case is assigned a stage 1 to 4. A higher stage signifies a more advanced, more dangerous disease.
International Men's Day (IMD) is a global awareness day for many issues that men face, including parental alienation, abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence, celebrated annually on November 19. The objectives of celebrating an International Men's Day are set out in 'All the Six Pillars of International Men's Day'. It is also an occasion to celebrate boys' and men's lives, achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to nation, union, society, community, family, marriage, and childcare.
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide. It is a portmanteau of the Australian-English diminutive word for moustache, "mo", and "November". The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at Movember.com. The goal of Movember is to "change the face of men's health."
Screening, in medicine, is a strategy used to look for as-yet-unrecognised conditions or risk markers. This testing can be applied to individuals or to a whole population without symptoms or signs of the disease being screened.
National Prostate Health Month (NPHM), also known as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, is observed every September in North America by health experts, health advocates, and individuals concerned with men's prostate health and prostate cancer. Designating a month for the issue serves the purpose of:
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is an annual day of remembrance observed on October 15 for pregnancy loss and infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, and the death of a newborn. Pregnancy and infant loss is a common experience that has historically been complicated by broadly applied social and cultural taboos to stay silent, a condition that the World Health Organization advocates reversing in favor of open expression. A growing number of public figures have come out in support of open expression, with many leading by example through the disclosure of their personal experiences of pregnancy loss and infant death.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) is a non-profit organisation committed to the representation of urology professionals worldwide. All active urology professionals, including urology nurses, are eligible for membership of the EAU.
Carmen Marc Valvo is an American designer who specializes in evening wear and high-end cocktail dresses for a line of the same name, founded in 1989. He also has an eyewear collection, a lingerie collection, a swimsuit line which is a best-seller at Victoria's Secret, and a Hamptons-inspired home collection, called CMV Home sold through QVC. He most recently launched a collection of evening bags and an exclusive Bridal Collection, in 2010. Valvo is best known for his tailored fit and form-fitting dresses.
Transgender Awareness Week, observed November 13 to November 19, is a one-week celebration leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), which memorializes victims of transphobic violence. TDoR occurs annually on November 20, when transgender advocates raise awareness of the transgender community through education and advocacy activities.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is a broad-based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. The Foundation is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, recognising the diversity of the Australian community. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia receives Government funding for specific projects and relies on the generosity of individuals, the community and partnerships to carry out its work.
Anthony Peter Lowe AP is a British-Australian mathematical physicist and actuary. He previously served as chief executive officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, and is a frequent media commentator on prostate cancer and prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is a global motorcycle event raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men's mental health programs on behalf of the Movember Foundation.
The Next Generation Choices Foundation, also known as Less Cancer, is an American nonprofit organization founded by Bill Couzens in 2004 to educate the public about cancer prevention through digital media and community-supported programming. Less Cancer seeks to make risk reduction and prevention vital parts of cancer cures. The organization's goal is to increase public awareness about cancer prevention, including sharing information about environment- and food-based causes of cancer. They also provide information on risk-reduction strategies; changing community or corporate practices and products; and sharing information about healthy lifestyle choices.
Go Dad Run is a charitable project that was created in 2013 by former world champion athlete Colin Jackson in order to raise awareness about men's health issues, especially prostate cancer and funds for male health charities including Prostate Cancer UK. It is a series of runs for men and boys that take place around the UK in June. They can run, walk, wheel or jog around the courses and raise money for the charity via sponsorship.
Project Pink Blue, registered as Health & Psychological Trust Centre is a cancer nonprofit engaged in raising cancer awareness, patient navigation, advocacy and free breast and cervical cancer screening for women living in poverty. The organization launched Nigeria's first patient navigation in 2015 and a toll- free telephone centre 08000CANCER in 2016 Project PINK BLUE won the SPARC Metastatic Breast Cancer challenge grant by Union for International Cancer Control and Pfizer Oncology in Lisbon, Portugal.
National Colon Cancer Awareness Month is an annual celebration observed in the United States during the month of March, to increase awareness of colorectal cancer. In the United States it is organized by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Fight Colorectal Cancer, the Colon Cancer Coalition, and other organizations and survivor networks.
No Bra Day is an annual observance on October 13 on which women are encouraged to go braless as a means to encourage breast cancer awareness. No Bra Day was initially observed on July 9, 2011, but within three years it had moved to the 13th day of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October. Users on social media are encouraged to post using the hashtag #nobraday to promote awareness of breast cancer symptoms and to encourage gender equality. Some users on social media sites also encourage women to post pictures of themselves not wearing a bra. Some women embrace No Bra Day as a political statement while others prefer the comfort of discarding what they view as a restrictive, uncomfortable garment.