"One of the Alianse Vīriešu Veselībai’s (Alliance for Men's Health, AVV) first challenges is to ensure that every male in Latvia receives a letter by mail from the national health authorities about getting a regular health check-up, including a check for cancer, similar to that received by females about screening for breast and cervical cancer," the organization told LSM.
After several months of talks the NGO has been formed from six already existing men's health organizations six organizations, with hopes that others may join in future.
"One of the core long-term goals of the AVV is to work on providing information on a continuing basis so
that the community becomes more aware about the importance of a prophylactic annual health check for everybody, including males, the target audience of our alliance," AVV said.
The organization has recruited several public figures to support its effort including TV presenter and musician Valters Frīdenbergs, who has been receiving treatment for cancer despite still being a young man.
"Be a real man and go and get a check-up," Frīdenbergs urged, in a bid to counter traditional reluctance by men to visit doctors.
