WASHINGTON – National Men’s Health Week (NMHW) is charging into its 24th year today as Men’s Health Month continues all June. NMHW is celebrated each year as the week that ends on Father’s Day, June 11-17 this year. The week is celebrated around the globe as International Men’s Health Week.

The legislation creating NMHW was sponsored by Senator Bob Dole and Congressman Bill Richardson and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on May 31, 1994. Since then, the week has grown to include Men’s Health Month and is recognized by communities and jurisdictions throughout the country. Governors and over 300 Mayors and Native American communities have issued proclamations in their jurisdictions. Those can be viewed here.

“Leading a healthy lifestyle should be a top priority for all Americans,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R- OK) co-chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. “But too often, we overlook our health in the midst of a busy day. National Men’s Health Week was created by Congress in 1994 to convey the importance of regular health screenings and encourage active lifestyles among all men. As a co-chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, I am excited to celebrate Men’s Health Week by hosting our annual Men’s Health Caucus workout on Capitol Hill.”

“We’re pleased that the mission of Men’s Health Week, educating men, boys, and families on the importance of their health, continues to resonate with individuals, communities, and organizations throughout the country, said Ana Fadich, Vice President of Men’s Health Network. “National Men’s Health Week is all about empowering men to be more active and engaged in their health and well-being.”

During this time, health care professionals, private corporations, faith-based community organizations, and government agencies, plan activities that focus on the health and well-being of boys, men, and their families. These activities take the form of Wear Blue campaigns, informational articles in corporate newsletters, lunch-n-learns, conferences, bulletin board displays, videos, community health fairs, and more. Many take advantage of the posters and logos available for download on the Men’s Health Month web site. A national focus is Wear Blue Friday, celebrated yearly as the Friday before Father’s Day (June 15 this year). Congress will also be holding a Congressional Workout event encouraging our nation’s leaders to also be engaged in their health.

“National Men’s Health Week is upon us, which is a great reason to begin building healthy habits,” said Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), co-chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. “Too often, men forego routine medical examinations and visits to their doctor. This week is a reminder to men everywhere to take care of their minds and bodies by talking to their doctor.”

A key part of the continued momentum is the annual event and social media campaign, including:

• International Men’s Health Week Chat with Men’s Health Network is scheduled for June 14

• Congress joins the celebration with a Congressional Workout, planned for June 14.

• ShowUsYourBlue campaign: People all over the world take pictures of themselves and others wearing blue to increase awareness for men’s health.

• The #ShowUsYourBlue social media storm is on Wear Blue Friday, June 15, the Friday of Men's Health Week

Free resources are available in both English and Spanish at www.MensHealthMonth.com

Men’s Health Month and Men’s Health Week are sponsored by Men’s Health Network (MHN), which maintains a list of experts and spokespersons on all areas of male health and wellness, including fatherhood issues. Men’s Health Month supporters include Sanofi-Regeneron, Allergan Foundation, and Pfizer Inc.

Men's Health Network (MHN) is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Learn more about MHN at www.menshealthnetwork.org and follow them on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork. For more information on MHN's ongoing Dialogue on Men's Health series, visit www.dialogueonmenshealth.com