The Government of British Columbia provided the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation with $1.5 million in funding this Father’s Day. (Photo/Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website)

In honour of Father’s Day this past weekend, the Government of British Columbia has provided $1.5 million to the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation to support and uplift men in British Columbia to live healthier lives, according to a news release issued by the Ministry of Health.

Adrian Dix, the Minister of Health, made the funding announcement on Sunday, June 17 in recognition of Father’s Day. The announcement was also part of Canadian Men’s Health Awareness Week, which took place from June 11 to June 17.

“On Father’s Day, many people will be spending extra time with their dads, or recalling special moments shared together and what better time to inspire healthier living for a father, grandfather or someone close,” said Dix. “I know how important it is to make healthy choices to help us lead longer, healthier lives and the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation is helping men make those changes.”

Per information found in the news release, the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMFH) is a national, non-profit organization that supports and works towards encouraging men to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

This is couple with the CMFH’s initiatives to raise awareness and prevent men’s health problems, such as prostate cancer.

The aforementioned $1.5 million in funding will support the foundation to expand and bolster its programs, which include the Don’t Change Much campaign. The campaign, which is accompanied by a website, provides men with quick, easy and healthy recipes, helpful tips on how to be active and advice from public figures, such as former player and current president of the Vancouver Canucks, Trevor Linden and four-time Olympian Simon Whitfield.

According to the news release, a CMFH study found that 72 per cent of men who actively engaged in the Don’t Change Much campaign reported improvements in their health and their daily lives.

“The results from our Don’t Change Much initiative show that B.C. men and their families are more motivated when empowered with health information, lifestyle programs and support,” said Wayne Hartrick the president of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. “The DontChangeMuch.ca initiative is enabling B.C. men to hear, absorb and act on the idea that small lifestyle changes may have significant, long-term health benefits.”

Dr. Larry Goldenberg, the Canadian Men’s Foundation chair, was quick to praise the funding announcement made by the provincial government.

“We applaud the foresight of the B.C. government in demonstrating continued support of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation,” said Goldenberg. “This support enables CMHF to continue to build and deliver programs, content and resources to B.C. men and their families, with the aim of encouraging better health behaviours now, for healthier dads, husbands, sons, brothers and friends later in life.”

The CMFH will also continue to raise mens health awareness through You Check, a risk self-assessment tool, through an online questionnaire in which man can truly get a good glimpse at their overall health, per the news release.

Per information in the news release, You Check was initially developed to encourage men to learn and educate themselves about the potential health risks and illnesses they may develop later in life. Men who complete the online assessment are then provided with personalized preventative health information and are encouraged to visit and share the information with their primary health-care provider.

The CMFH is also setting up preliminary plans to expand their Downtown Urban Knights Defending Equality and Solidarity (DUDES Club), which is a community-driven program that is focused on improving the health of Indigenous men.

DUDES Club currently offers events, activities and workshops that focus on the spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of overall well being.

DUDES Club first started in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver and through a partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, the club is creating training programs to quickly expand the program into First Nations communities throughout British Columbia.