HISTORY

A History of Men’s Health Week

International Men’s Health Week (IMHW) has been celebrated
in Australia since 2003.  Throughout the 1990s various Australian States and Territories set aside a week to highlight men’s health issues.  These weeks were celebrated at different times of the year and each had its own focus and priorities.

Other countries were also running men’s health week. 
The UK, USA, Canada, Hong Kong and other European
countries also had their own weeks and days set aside to promote male health issues.

In 2002, representatives from six leading men's health organisations around the world met at the 2nd World
Congress on Men's Health in Vienna, Austria and resolved
to work together to launch International Men's Health Week (IMHW).  Australia was represented at this meeting by the
Men’s Health Information and Resource Centre, at the
University of Western Sydney, who had been coordinating
men’s health week in NSW since 2000.

The aim of IMHW is to increase awareness of male health
issues on a global level and to encourage inter- and intra-
national institutions to develop health policies and services
that meet men's specific needs.

Since 2003 International Men’s Health Week has grown from strength to strength in Australia.  The number of IMHW events has steadily grown and 2008 was the first time men’s health
week events occurred in every state and territory.

This year promises to be the most successful yet, with more events and more interest than ever before.

To find our about men’s health week across the world visit http://www.imhw.org