STARTING on June 15, it's International Men’s Health Week and this year has a primary focus on healthy living for men.

Led by Men’s Health Network, representatives from six leading men’s health organisations around the world met at the 2nd World Congress on Men’s Health in Vienna, Austria in 2002 and planned to work together to launch International Men’s Health Week (IMHW).

The goal is to increase awareness of male health issues on a global level and to encourage inter and intra-national institutions to develop health policies and services that meet the specific needs of men, boys, and their families.

All this is because men are less likely to lead a healthy lifestyle and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol to dangerous levels and be overweight or obese.

These lifestyles can lead to serious health issues such as cancer, heart diseases and stokes and by leading a healthy active lifestyle, many of these can be prevented from ever being a concern.

Last year Men's Health Week focused on work and health, including stress and unemployment. With so many men experiencing unemployment, and statistics suggesting major health impacts from the recession, the subject was clearly important, yet far too often ignored.

This year the theme is Healthy Living for Men. The Men’s Health Forum (MHF) wants to promote healthy living and well-being in men.

They will be asking men to focus on their lifestyles and the campaign is all about healthy living and lifestyles.

If you’re aged 40 to 74 you need to be booking in for an NHS health check. It's basically a free mid-life MOT. It can help you spot upcoming heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and other health problems. It only takes around 20 minutes.

The health professional — usually a nurse — will ask you some simple questions, measure and weigh you, take your blood pressure and probably a small prick of blood from your finger.

Based on this, they will be able to give you an idea of your risk of several serious diseases: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. They'll then give you personalised advice to reduce your risk.

I will be doing my bit also to help more men get active starting with free classes to all fellas for the whole week, that’s five sessions to have a go at including three bootcamps, a senior fitness class and I’m even encouraging any dads to come along to my mum’s and baby fitness class to help get your lifestyle a bit more physical and active.

Chris Bramah is a personal fitness trainer who works with individuals and groups. Contact him on 07933 779858, or e mail chris@hityourfitnesstarget.co.uk