Western Trust offers free health checks for men at local shopping centres

by Gráinne Connolly

The Western Trust is offering free health checks for men in support of International Men's Health Week. 

During this time, the trust is urging everyone to focus upon medical conditions and the general health and wellbeing of local men and boys. 

Through the initiative, they'll also be able to avail of free health checks, such as; blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI. 

Western Trust workers will also provide information on the main cancers that affect men, including advice on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. 

A session has already taken in place in Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry/Londonderry earlier. 

Another will run in the Erneside Shopping Centre in Enniskillen from 12 noon to 2pm. 

Research shows that local men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young:

• Local men die, on average, four and a half years younger than women do.

• Males have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death.

• Poor lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases.

• Late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable.

Men's Health Week seeks to support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities; encourage the early detection and treatment of health issues; heighten awareness of preventable health problems including mental health challenges. 

The focus this year is "One small step for man, one giant leap for men's health'. With the question: What's your small step going to be?

Sandra Semple, Western Trust Health Improvement Officer states that "Men's Health Week offers an ideal launch pad to do something positive and start this process. 

"Making very small changes to your lifestyle can have a huge impact in the longer term."