This year, it will run from Monday, June 13 until Sunday, June 19. To highlight this week, local comedians Joe Rooney (Father Ted and Killinaskully) and Paul Tylak (Stew and Messers Tylak and Rooney) are starring in an Ireland-wide poster campaign.

The message for men is simple - "These are challenging times. It's no joke. Let's talk."

The health of men in Ireland is nothing to joke about:

- Local men die, on average, about five years younger than women do
- Males have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death
- Poor lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases
- Late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable

The Men's Health Forum in Ireland is calling upon organisations, groups and individuals to do something to mark this week and, so, help to save lives!

Further information is available at: www.mhfi.org/mens-health-week-2011.html