06/05/2026
It's Men's Health Month in Kent County :
June is here, and the Strong Fathers / Padres Fuertes project of Strong Beginnings-Healthy Start would like all of our community members to join us in celebrating Men’s Health Month (MHM).
The theme for Men's Health Month 2026 is "Partners in Care: For Better Lifespans Across the Lifespan."
This theme emphasizes the importance of men supporting each other and working together to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
For the past 3 years, we have worked with Kent County to proclaim June as MHM. The proclamations that we have received have served as examples for communities from the Lakeshore to the greater Detroit area. We thank them for their willingness to support this cause again this year.
Our National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) partners, Michigan Action Plan for Father Involvement (MAP-FI) colleagues, as well as our Healthy Kent Dads Count Fatherhood Coalition members locally, want to make sure and continue the tradition every year.
Nationally, June is observed as Men’s Health Month, and this observance raises awareness of men's health care and encourages young people, men, and their families to adopt healthy life choices.
Examples, like exercising regularly and eating healthy, early literacy, seeking mental health resources, and communicating with their family, are all ways we strive to educate our communities' men to engage during this month as the Strong Fathers/Padres Fuertes project of the Strong Beginnings-Healthy Start program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
350,000 men die of cardiovascular disease each year (CDC).
More than 700,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year;
300,000 of those cases will result in death (Men's Health Resource Center).
230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. It's the second leading cause of death in men (Cancer.org)
By declaring June Men’s Health Month, as a county, we can encourage men to take control of their health, further engage with their families, and be examples to youth as they form healthy habits throughout childhood.
Not only did the commissioners support the proclamation, they wore BLUE as a show of support for men’s health!
Wear BLUE Day for Men’s Health Awareness is observed on Friday, June 19, 2026. Celebrated annually on the Friday of Men's Health Week, the day encourages communities, workplaces, and individuals to wear blue to raise awareness about the physical and mental health issues affecting boys and men.
Join us as we walk alongside the city, nonprofit organizations, and many others to uplift men’s health through actions and opportunities to engage.
You can take a look at the commission meeting proclamation here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcjX5vaC7tY
