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 Event

Join us on the 27th June, 5pm to 8pm at The Ironworks in Southend-on-Sea. Meet and talk with health professionals from Everyone Health, Stop Smoking Services, Brook and more. Plus talks from Proste8 UK: Prostate Cancer and the Mid and Southend Essex Intergrated Care Board Cardiovascular Lead on Cardiovascular Disease. 

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.

www.nhs.uk/diabeticeye

Blood Pressure Check

Recommended for all adults but if you are over 40 you should get checked every 5 years.

www.nhs.uk/bloodpressure

NHS Health Check

Offered routinely between the ages of 40 - 74 every 5 years.

www.nhs.uk/healthcheck

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.

www.nhs.uk/bowel

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening

Offered to men during the year they turn 65. Older men can self-refer.

www.nhs.uk/aaa

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.