Men's Health Week
Statisitc from the Men's Health Forum show that:
- One man in five dies before the age of 65
- 75% of premature deaths from heart disease are men
- 67% of men are overweight or obese
- Middle-aged men are twice as likely to have diabetes as women
- 4 out of 5 suicides are male
and that men are more likely to:
- smoke (and smoke more)
- eat too much salt and red meat
- eat too little fruits and vegetables
- drink to dangerous level (men are twice as likely to have liver disease)
Take charge of your health
According to a survey of 2,000 men by private health provider and insurer, Bupa, 8 in 10 men would choose to endure an illness rather than seek help! 39% have let symptoms get to the point where the pain is “unbearable”, at which point they had no choice but to visit their GP. This Men's Health Week, it's time to take charge of your health for you and your friends and family.
Men's Health Screening Checks
The NHS offers a range of screening tests and vaccinations for men at different times in their lives, the follow shows the most common and when to get checked. If you are due a check contact your local GP for more information.
Diabetic Eye Screening
Offered every year to people with diabetes aged 12 and over.
Blood Pressure Check
Recommended for all adults but if you are over 40 you should get checked every 5 years.
NHS Health Check
Offered routinely between the ages of 40 - 74 every 5 years.
Bowel Screening
Offered to men (and women) aged 60 to 74 every 2 years. From 2021 to 2025, screening will gradually be offered to people in their 50s as well. Those aged 75 or over can request screening by calling 0800 7076060.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
Offered to men during the year they turn 65. Older men can self-refer.
Vaccinations
- Age 65 - Pneumococcal Vaccine
- Age 65 and over - Influenza (Each year from September)
- Aged 65 from September 2023 - Shingles Vaccine
Shingles vaccination
Age 70 to 79 (plus eligible age groups and severely immunosuppressed.
Health and Wellbeing Local Offer
Everyone Health
Offer free Adult Weight Management sessions. This is a one and a half hour group session involving a 45 minute nutrition workshop and 45 minute physical activity class. They have a range of different classes in different areas across Southend-on-Sea both face to face and virtual. Visit the Everyone Health Southend website for more information or to book a session.
Park Run
Join Active Southend for a 5km walk or jog every Saturday morning at Gunners Park and Chalkwell Beach. Go at your own pace, meet new people and have fun getting active. To find out more about local sport and physical activity visit the Active Southend website.
Walking Football
Come and have a go at walking football - a slower version of the beautiful game. For adults of all ages and abilities, visit Active Southend to find a session near you.
Southend Health Walks
The Southend Health Walk Scheme helps people lead a more active lifestyle. Group walks are short, over easy terrain, with trained volunteers on hand to provide support. All walks are free of charge. For further information, please contact Angela on 07771 926932.
- 11:15am Tuesday – meet at Shoeburyness Hotel High Street Shoeburyness
- 11:00am Wednesday – meet at Jocelyns Beach behind Chalkwel, Train Station
- 11:00am Thursday – meet outside the café in Priory Park
Stop Smoking Service
Any smoker who lives or works in the City of Southend-on-Sea is eligible to sign up for Stop Smoking Support.
Smokers are encouraged to sign up if they are:
- ready
- motivated
- committed to quit
Smokers are three times more likely to stop smoking with the right support, medication or vape kit.
A lone quitter with no support has about a 3% chance of success, so don't delay and plan your quit today.
Once you reach 28 days of being smoke free, you are four times more likely to quit for good.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit our Stop Smoking Service today to start your journey to being smoke free.
Southend Treatment And Recovery Service (STARS)
The support offered is tailored to each person’s needs, so it will look slightly different for everyone. When you first get in touch, the team will carry out an assessment with you to understand what will work for you, before putting together a plan of how you will work together. Services include:
- One-to-one and group support
- Health checks and testing for blood-borne viruses, including Hepatitis C
- Help to detox
- Prescribed medication (where appropriate and following a medical assessment), Naloxone dispensing and needle exchange
- Support from peers who have been through similar experiences
- Ongoing recovery support
For more information please visit the Forward Trust website.
Mental health support
ANDYSMANCLUB is a group where men aged 18 and above can speak openly about their mental health in a judgment-free, non-clinical environment. Groups now operate nationwide and are completely volunteer-led, with the vast majority of group facilitators having first interacted with ANDYSMANCLUB when they came through the door as a service user.
The Southend group meet every Monday at 7pm at Roots Hall, SS2 6NQ. Find out more about ANDYSMANCLUB here: Andy's Man Club - Health services