Men's Health Month 2025

Men's Health Month is dedicated to raising awareness about the health issues men and boys face, and encouraging them to live healthier lives.

Written by the HeadsUpGuys Team

Posted June 5, 2024. Updated May 7, 2025.

"Too many men ignore symptoms, delay checkups, and silently battle issues that can be treated—if caught early."

June is Men’s Health Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health challenges men and boys face and encouraging proactive steps toward better health.

A crucial aspect of men’s health is men’s mental health, as suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for men under 50, with men dying by suicide at a much higher rate than women (3x times the rate in Canada, the US, and the UK).

Get Involved This June

“Men’s health isn’t just physical. Depression, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses are silent killers. Mental health matters too—and it’s time we talked about it.”

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Get ready to join us June 1–15 for Step Up For Him — a movement to raise awareness and support men’s mental health through action.

Walk. Run. Ride. Hike. Connect.

Learn More

Men’s Health Month provides a platform to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices for men and boys.

Originally established in the U.S. as an extension of Men’s Health Week, the month-long observance broadened the scope of outreach, education, and advocacy efforts. At the core of the month, Men’s Health Week—held during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day (the third Sunday in June)—continues to serve as the focal point for many campaigns and events.

While Men’s Health Month has been primarily recognized in North America, Men’s Health Week has stronger global traction, with observances in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, India, and beyond.

Whether marked for a week or a full month, these initiatives serve as a call to action—for men to prioritize their health, and for communities to actively support their well-being.

History of Men’s Health Month

Men’s Health Week was established in 1994 by the Men’s Health Network (MHN), a non-profit organization in the United States. The goal was to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys. 

  • 1994: The U.S. Congress officially established National Men’s Health Week, observed the week leading up to and including Father’s Day.
  • Late 1990s: Men’s Health Month emerged as an extension of the week, promoted by organizations like the Men’s Health Network to expand awareness efforts throughout June.
  • 2002: Men’s Health Week gains international recognition in the UK, with countries such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and New Zealand joining the movement.
  • 2013: The Men’s Health Forum in the UK launches larger themed campaigns for Men’s Health Week, focusing on issues such as mental health and diabetes prevention.
  • 2023: The Mental Health Commission of Canada recognizes the Tuesday of Men’s Health Week as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day, strengthening the call for focused mental health advocacy.

Common Themes and Issues

Men face unique health challenges that require attention and proactive management. Here are some of the most common health issues affecting men today:

1. Heart Disease

According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death among men.[1] High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are significant risk factors for developing heart disease. 

More information/resources: 

2. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with about one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetime.[2] In the US, prostate cancer ranks as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, following lung cancer. About 1 in 44 men will die of prostate cancer.

Early detection is crucial for successful treatment. 

More information/resources:

3. Mental Health

Mental health is often overlooked in men due to societal pressures and stigma. Depression, anxiety, and stress can have severe impacts on overall health. About 1 in 5 experience a mental health problem each year.[3]

For more detailed information on men’s mental health, visit our Men’s Mental Health page.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes affects about 15% of men, who are slightly more prone to its development than women.[4]

More information/ resources:

5. Obesity

Obesity can lead to a multitude of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and joint issues. 

The worldwide obesity rate has nearly doubled since 1980. The World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2030, one in five women and one in seven men will have severe obesity.[5]

More information/ resources:

6. Respiratory Diseases

Men are more likely than women to smoke, and are thus more likely to develop respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which most commonly presents as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.[6] COPD affects about 16 million Americans.[7]

More information/ resources:

7. Liver Disease

Liver disease, often caused by excessive alcohol consumption or viral infections, can be life-threatening.

Men account for nearly 70 percent of deaths by Alcohol Related liver disease (ALD).[8]

More information/ resources:

8. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a sign of underlying health issues such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Approximately 30 million men in the United States are affected by ED.[9]

More information/ resources:

9. Testicular Cancer

Approximately 1 in 250 men will develop testicular cancer at some point in their lifetime.[10]

Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Men are encouraged to perform regular testicular self-exams and report any abnormalities to their healthcare provider promptly.

More information/ resources:

Taking Charge of Men’s Health

Men’s Health Month provides an opportunity for men to focus on their health and take proactive steps towards a healthier future. Here are some practical tips to help men get started:

How Can You Participate in Men’s Health Month?

Get Involved This June 2025

Step Up For Him Graphic

Get ready to join us June 1–15 for Step Up For Him — a movement to raise awareness and support men’s mental health through action.

Walk. Run. Ride. Hike. Connect.

Learn More

HeadsUpGuys Men’s Health Campaigns

HeadsUpGuys has shown its commitment to Men’s Health Week since launching in 2015. 

Men’s Health Month is more than just a month of awareness—it’s a catalyst for change. By understanding the common health issues men face and taking proactive steps to address them, we can improve not only our own lives but also the lives of our families and communities. Take charge of your health today, and encourage the men in your life to do the same. Together, we can build a healthier, happier future.

At HeadsUpGuys, we recognize Men’s Health Month as an opportunity to celebrate everyone who identifies as a man. We aim to support the broader collective of men, acknowledging physical health issues specific to men and the shared social experiences that can positively or negatively affect all men’s well-being.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Men and Heart Disease”.
  2. American Cancer Society. “Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer.”
  3. Mental Health America. “Quick Facts and Statistics About Mental Health“
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “National Diabetes Statistics Report”
  5. Forbes. “Obesity Statistics And Facts In 2024”
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. ”Are there gender differences in tobacco smoking?”
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “COPD”
  8. University of Michigan Health “Alcohol Related Liver Disease”
  9. Harvard Health Publishing (HHP). “Erectile Dysfunction – ED”
  10. American Cancer Society. “Key Statistics for Testicular Cancer”

Step Up For Him Campaign

Move for something that matters! Between June 1–15, walk, run, bike, or hike for men's mental health. ​

​Let's Step Up for our dads, brothers, partners, sons, uncles, friends, co-workers — and ourselves.

Step Up For Him