National Men's Health Week 2004:

Review

The week began on the 14th of June, with the first launch of NMHW outside of London, in the main Royal Mail sorting office in Gateshead. Following this successful event, which secured significant local coverage, The All Party Group on Men's Health, held a reception at Portcullis House, Westminster. The reception focused on increasing men's awareness of cancer prevention and encouraging symptom awareness and early presentation to health services. It also launched the Men's Health Forum's briefing paper on Men and Cancer.

Guest speakers included: Melanie Johnson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health; Lynn Faulds Wood, Founder, Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign, Consumer presenter, GMTV and Patron of the Men's Health Forum; and Paul Sadler, Patient representative on behalf of Beating Bowel Cancer.

The All Party Group reception: (from L-R), Dr Howard Stoate MP, Dr Ian Banks, Melanie Johnson MP, Prof Alan White     

NMHW2004, saw a number of new developments, principal among these, were the introduction of Regional Representatives and regional launch events. This included a launch in Cardiff on the 16th of June, which was the first time a major Men's Health week event has taken place in Wales. Alongside Dr Ian Banks (MHF), Mark Newbold (Tenovus), Robert Sage (Barry Heart Health), John Griffiths AM, the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, spoke at the launch. This meeting also included a discussion around the development of a devolved Men's Health Forum in Wales. 

The Cardiff Launch: (from L - R) Mark Newbold (Tenovus), Dr Ian Banks (MHF), Robert Sage (NMHW Regional Representative for Wales/ Barry Heart Health)     

The media coverage secured during the week was the most impressive to date, with every National Newspaper running a NMHW related story during the week. As with previous years, the audience reach has increased yet again in 2004:

We are currently undertaking the local level evaluation of NMHW2004 (which will be posted in the MHW area of this website when it is completed). However, there have clearly been many positive developments during NMHW2004, providing a strong platform for NMHW2005. Ultimately, we see NMHW becoming established as a major international event, providing both the opportunity to promote specific policy objectives, as well as encouraging local level interest and activity around men's health issues.