Story by Rob Smith
“Our male population has the highest early death rate and most of us are walking around uneducated, about food, diet, exercise nutrition and healthy lifestyles,” said Patrick Edwards at the Men’s Health Day at Verdon Street Rec on Saturday 16th June 2006.
Health issues that affect men include Heart disease, and failure, stroke, lupus, testicular cancer, cancer, high blood pressure, sickle cell, kidney failure, drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness, but men are often unaware of the risks and what they can do to avoid health problems.
The Men’s Health Day aimed to address this with blood pressure checks; height and weight checks; healthy food; drug awareness and diets information, in addition to sports and football, while Glen Rhodes and his boxing team provided a small display of boxing followed by Lethal Latif and his young team of kick boxers.
While the turnout from male residents was poor at around 30, professionals and voluntary sector worked closely as a team. The kids that turned out had a good time and the “S3 Brazil” team won the under 16s football final. The awarding of medals and memorabilia took place after the raffle-draw and prize giving. “All in it was a good day,” added Rafiq Saleh of Burngreave Sports Network.
People need to mark their diaries for Men’s Health day next June 2007 and do so in hope we all stay healthy and make it there in one love and peace.