A series of health activities to encourage men across the Durham, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside localities to take up a challenge have been organised to coincide with Men’s Health Week.

The theme of this year’s National Men’s Health Week is ‘challenges and choices’ and takes place from 15 June until 21 June 2009. The events have been organised by NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington’s public health team and other agencies involved with the North Durham Men’s Health Steering Group to help raise the profile of men’s health and to improve men’s awareness of the range of health and related services that are available and how to use them effectively. Activities include: Rainton Meadow Nature Reserve, Men’s Health Challenge, Sponsored Walk Saturday 27 June, 12.30 - 3.30pm. To register visit http://www.durhamwt.co.uk Registration costs £2 per person or £1 for Wildlife Trust members. Funds raised will support Durham Wildlife Trust and Men’s Health Charities. For more information please contact Annette Morris 0191 5843112.

The NHS Stop Smoking Service offers free local support in community centres, libraries, GP practices, pharmacies, and workplaces. Whether it’s through one-to-one or group sessions, experienced Stop Smoking advisors can help you access the latest stop smoking products, deal with cravings and join the thousands of others in County Durham who have gone smokefree. With our help you’re up to four times more likely to stop than if you use will power alone. For more information on local stop smoking support within the Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside localities contact 01207 523624.

Men’s health information is available at health hub libraries across County Durham including Clayport Library, Durham and Annfield Plain Library.

Health Trainer drop-in sessions will be held at Clayport Library between 10.00am and 12.00noon on Wednesday 17 June with information around lifestyle changes to support health. For more information please contact Geoff Pratt on 0191 386 4003.

Age Concern Durham County are offering free health information packs for men aged 50+ and to come along and try a taster exercise or craft session during men’s health week. For more information contact locality offices on the following numbers: Derwentside: 01207 280 119 Durham and Chester-le-Street: 0191 371 8601 Durham Dales and Sedgefield: 01388 720 064 Easington: 0191 527 0224.

Durham and Chester-le-Street Lifestyle Initiative is offering health walks on Wednesday 17 June at 9.50am from Green Lane, next to Durham Rugby and Cricket ground, Durham City and Wednesday 24 June at 9.50am at Bent House Lane, Sherburn Road, Durham. Sunday 28 June at 10.20am from Plawsworth and Kimblesworth Community Centre turn at the Red Lion Pub Plawsworth A167 onto the B6312 to Sacriston. For more information on the walks please contact 0191 389 5094.

Chester-le-Street Civic Centre - Information and display stand around men’s health issues up to the end of the month. For more information please contact Tracey Haswell, Health Trainer, 0191 3872121.

Derwentside Doorstep Cycle Rides Louise Centre, Stanley : Every Monday from 1pm until 2.30pm and every Tuesday from 6pm until 7.30pm. Belle Vue Leisure Centre, Consett : Every Wednesday between 10.30am and 12 noon and every Thursday between 1pm and 2.30pm. Please contact Derwentside Lifestyle Initiative on 01207 218871 for further information.

Derwentside Doorstep Walks - The walks will take place every Friday between 10.30am and 11.30am at the following venues: Friday 19 June - Corner Prospect Terrace, New Kyo (Under the New Kyo sign) Friday 26 June - Blackhill/Consett, at the entrance to Blackhill Hertiage Park, Laburnum Avenue. Please contact Derwentside Lifestyle Initiative on 01207 218871 for further information.

Acorn Ambers - The next meeting will be on Sunday 21 June, meet at Rowley Station Car Park, A68, Hownsgill between 1.30pm – 4.30pm. This walk is a high difficulty level walk. Please contact Derwentside Lifestyle Initiative on 01207 218871 for further information.

A recent report issued by the Department of Health in November 2008 highlights many issues around the health inequalities for men.

North Durham Men’s Health Steering Group (multi agency) has commissioned a men’s health needs assessment project looking at barriers and access issues for men to local health services. The research takes a snapshot from some key areas within North Durham with the views of diverse groups of men being sought. The evidence from this research will help inform an action plan around Men’s health issues and support positively influencing future service provision for men.

The public health delivery plan highlights the need to address inequalities in health and the National policy of Commissioning a Patient Led NHS support the need to develop health services that promote male access.

Grace Wali, health improvement lead for community and settings, said: “Men’s Health Week is a great opportunity for us to encourage local men to use local health facilities and become more involved in community based health related activities.

"Some men tend to feel uneasy visiting their GP and only visit their doctor when they are really ill. By increasing men’s awareness of their own health and their treatment options hopefully we will help to change their behaviour and willingness to access health care and reduce the risks they take with their health.

“By promoting men’s awareness of wider lifestyle issues, including relationships, working life, personal grooming, diet and exercise and a general healthier style of living we hope to improve local men’s lives.”

NHS Direct is a great way for men to find out about local health services and to identify whether their health concerns should be raised with health professionals. This can be accessed by telephone health line on 0845 4647 and information about commissioned health services and general health information and support online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk ENDS For further information, please contact the communications on 0191 333 3386.

Note for Editors: National data indicates that: • Men take too many risks with their health - too many drink alcohol excessively, smoke, eat a poor diet, use illegal drugs, have unsafe sex, and drive dangerously. One of the biggest risks to men's health is their reluctance to seek help from services or to take part in health improvement programmes.

• This is often because services and programmes are not delivered in a way that takes account of their particular needs.

• Men are much less likely than women to use primary health care services. Overall, men in Great Britain visit their GP four times a year compared to six times for women. The difference in usage is most marked for the 16-44 age group - women of this age are twice as likely to use service as men.

• There are clear and similar sex differences in participation in weight management and stop smoking programmes as well as in the expert patient programme and cancer support groups.

• Young men also make less use than women of sexual health services and helplines.