Boys and young men have unique health-related needs that may be poorly met by existing programmes and initiatives.  The mismatch between the needs of boys / young men and current service offerings may stymie health status.  This is evidenced through high rates of self-stigma, accidental death or suicide, and low rates of help seeking and health literacy among populations of boys and young men.  With growing interest in improving wellbeing and educational outcomes for all young people (including boys and young men), this systematic review aimed to evaluate community and school-based programmes with a specific focus on programme features and outcomes directly relevant to young males aged 12-25 years.  Find out more at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0216955

‘The Lancet’ has recently published a series of papers that provides new analysis and insights into the impact of gender inequalities and norms on health, and the opportunities that exist within health systems, programmes, policies and research to transform gender norms and inequalities: www.thelancet.com/series/gender-equality-norms-health

How many goals has Harry Kane scored this season?  How many Grand Prix has Lewis Hamilton won?  How fast is the new iPhone? ...  Men are supposedly obsessed with numbers but, when it comes to their own health, there are quite a few they don’t know.  The Men’s Health Forum GB addresses this challenge by encouraging men (and service providers) to take an online quiz at: www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mens-health-numbers-quiz-slideshow

Did you know that it's Northern Ireland Alcohol Awareness Week from 17th - 23rd June 2019?  Find out more at: https://drugsandalcoholni.info/alcohol and download the 'Know Your Units' App at: www.alcoholandyouni.com/know-units-app

‘Promoting the Wellbeing of Men and Boys’ is the overarching theme of this year's Male Psychology Conference which will be held in University College London from 21st - 22nd June 2019.  This event promises two days of cutting edge theory and practical strategies, as well as opportunities to meet the key players in this field.  Find out more at: https://malepsychology.org.uk/male-psychology-conference-2019

Queen's University Belfast School of Nursing and Midwifery Athena Swan Committee is hosting a free event to celebrate Men’s Health Week 2019.  This will take place on Friday 7th June, from 12.30pm - 2.00pm, and aims to discuss and celebrate both past and ongoing men’s health work / research being conducted in Northern Ireland.  The keynote speaker is Dr Ian Banks - President of the European Men’s Health Forum, BMA Spokesperson on Men's Health, and internationally known author in this field.  A panel discussion will follow which will explore the exciting work being conducted by a number of academic, community and healthcare workers in the area of men’s health.  To book one of the limited places, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mens-health-in-northern-ireland-past-present-and-future-tickets-62139505935

HSE Health Promotion and Improvement CHE is pleased to offer training in men’s health.  This programme, titled ‘Engage’, seeks to address the current deficiencies in gender sensitive service provision for men.  The workshop will be of interest to a broad range of service providers and practitioners who wish to connect in more meaningful ways with men and boys.  The topics covered will include: the determinants of men’s health and how gender influences men’s approach to their healthcare; guiding health consultations with men using brief intervention and motivational interviewing techniques; using best practice guidelines to engage men more effectively with health and social services; setting-up and supporting effective group work with men; the barriers and the enabling factors experienced by men when accessing health and social services.  The workshop will take place on Tuesday 14th May 2019, from 9.30am - 4.30pm, in the Blackrock Education Centre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.  Applications are welcomed from both men and women, and from people working in all sectors.  To book a place, email Helen McCormack at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MaleMenu is a Northern Ireland based website that was launched in November 2018.  It is a place to search for information and join the conversation about topics directly affecting men.  The website offers informative articles under five different categories: health, parenting, appearance, local and general.  Currently, it has 68 different articles, with a further 22 scheduled for the next six months.   It also has a TALK section - designed to encourage conversations - in the hope that men will share their experiences and support others.  Whilst the site is focused on male specific topics, half the users are females browsing on behalf of the men in their lives - be it their son, husband, brother or father.  See it for yourself at: www.malemenu.co.uk  |  www.facebook.com/contactmalemenu