HSE Launches Men's Health Week with 'One Step at a Time' Campaign as Free Events Run Nationwide
The Health Service Executive has launched International Men's Health Week 2026, running from Monday, 15 June to Sunday, 21 June, with the theme "One Step at a Time — Progress not Perfection" — a campaign that aims to encourage men and boys across Ireland to take small, achievable steps to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, supported by a nationwide programme of free health checks, fitness sessions, and community events.
Background
International Men's Health Week has been observed in Ireland for over a decade, providing an annual focus for the significant and persistent challenges that men face in relation to their health. The statistics are stark: men in Ireland have a life expectancy that is approximately four years shorter than women, they are significantly less likely to visit a GP or seek medical help when they are unwell, and they account for the majority of deaths by suicide. These disparities are not inevitable — they reflect patterns of behaviour, attitude, and access that can be changed with the right interventions and the right cultural messaging.
The HSE's approach to Men's Health Week has evolved over the years, moving away from a focus on specific diseases or conditions towards a broader emphasis on lifestyle, behaviour, and the importance of seeking help. The "One Step at a Time" theme for 2026 reflects a recognition that the most effective way to encourage men to improve their health is not to overwhelm them with information about everything they should be doing differently, but to focus on small, achievable changes that can be sustained over time. The "Progress not Perfection" element of the theme is particularly important — it acknowledges that health improvement is a journey rather than a destination, and that any step in the right direction is worth taking.
The week is organised in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations, including the Men's Health Forum in Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Heart Foundation, and numerous local community groups. This partnership approach allows the campaign to reach men in a variety of settings — workplaces, sports clubs, community centres, marts, and online — and to tailor the messaging to the specific needs and concerns of different groups.
Key Developments
The 2026 Men's Health Week programme includes a daily thematic structure, with each day of the week focusing on a different aspect of men's health. The themes cover prevention and screening, mental fitness, physical activity, nutrition, and the importance of social connection — a recognition that men's health is not just about physical wellbeing but about the full range of factors that contribute to a good life. The daily themes provide a framework for the events and activities that are taking place across the country, and they give men a structured way to engage with the campaign over the course of the week.
Free health checks are being offered at a range of locations across Ireland, including health fairs in Galway, fitness sessions in Limerick, and health checks at marts in Mayo — the last of these being a particularly effective way of reaching men in rural areas who might not otherwise engage with health services. An online webinar on "Men and Alcohol" is scheduled for Tuesday, 16 June, addressing one of the most significant health risks for Irish men and providing practical information and support for those who want to reduce their alcohol consumption.
The HSE has also been working with employers to encourage workplace engagement with Men's Health Week, recognising that the workplace is one of the most effective settings for reaching men with health messages. Several major employers have committed to hosting health events for their male employees during the week, and the HSE has provided resources and support to help them do so effectively.
Why It Matters
Men's Health Week matters because the health disparities between men and women in Ireland are significant, persistent, and largely preventable. The four-year gap in life expectancy, the higher rates of suicide, the lower rates of GP attendance — these are not natural or inevitable features of male biology. They reflect patterns of behaviour and attitude that have been shaped by cultural norms around masculinity, stoicism, and the reluctance to seek help. Changing those norms requires sustained effort over many years, and Men's Health Week is one of the most important annual contributions to that effort. The "One Step at a Time" theme is particularly well-judged: it meets men where they are, acknowledging that change is difficult and that small steps are better than no steps at all.
Local Impact
The impact of Men's Health Week is felt in communities across Ireland, from the health fairs in Galway to the mart-based health checks in Mayo. For men in rural areas, who often have less access to health services and who may be more reluctant to seek help than their urban counterparts, the community-based events provide an accessible and non-threatening way to engage with health information and services. For men in urban areas, the workplace events and online resources provide a convenient way to access information and support. The cumulative impact of the week — the conversations it starts, the appointments it prompts, the habits it encourages — is difficult to measure precisely, but the evidence from previous years suggests that it makes a real difference to the health behaviours of the men who engage with it.
What's Next
Men's Health Week runs until Sunday, 21 June, with events taking place across Ireland throughout the week. The HSE will publish a summary of the week's activities and engagement in the weeks following its conclusion, providing data on the number of men who attended events, accessed health checks, and engaged with the online resources. The findings will inform the planning for Men's Health Week 2027, with the HSE and its partners committed to building on the momentum of each year's campaign. The broader Men's Health Action Plan, which sets out the HSE's long-term strategy for improving men's health in Ireland, will continue to be implemented throughout the year, with Men's Health Week serving as an annual focal point for the campaign.
