Men's Health Week was observed June 9-15 this year. For the first time, the Week was observed around the globe, with support from organizations located in the United States, Australia, England/Wales, Scotland, and Europe.

Men's Health Week garnered extensive media coverage in the United States:

-- Newsweek magazine devoted the cover of its June 16 issue to men's health, and ran articles on heart disease, prostate cancer, depression, yoga, and fitness.

-- Men's Health magazine ran 3 articles for Men's Health Week, including "100 Ways to Live Forever".

-- On June 11, the Men's Activism News Network sponsored a MANN chat on the topic of men's health.

-- On June 11, National Public Radio devoted an hour to men's physical and mental health. The program focused on Edward Brooke, retired Republican senator from Massachusetts who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Massachusetts Medical Society sponsored its first annual Symposium on Men's Health on June 11. Held in Waltham, MA, the well-attended program featured scientific presentations on prostate cancer, testosterone, the effects of divorce on fathers' health, and the role of medical research in gender health.

Health clinics also participated. For example, Kaiser-Permanente, one of the nation's largest HMOs, featured pamplets and posters on 10 ways to improve the health of men. Dental workers put together a flyer on "Dental Hygienists against Heart Disease". And 26 governors around the country issued Proclamations in support of Men's Health Week.

Men's health has finally come into its own.

Carey Roberts