International Panel of Experts Issue the Toronto Charter for Mental Health and Obesity

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -07/05/12)- Policy makers and health professionals have their work cut out for them when it comes to treating co-existing obesity and mental illness, if an international group of opinion leaders has their way.

In response to a worldwide epidemic of obesity and mental health disorders, the Canadian Obesity Network (CON-RCO) and the International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) organized a Hot Topic Conference on Obesity and Mental Health, in Toronto, Canada June 26th-28th.

Although obesity and mental illness are major health issues that affect millions of Canadians, the links between them are not well understood. Excess weight, beyond its adverse physiological consequences, also affects self-esteem, body image and eating behaviours while promoting depression and anxiety. The opposite is also true - a disproportionate number of patients living with mental health challenges struggle with obesity, diabetes, heart disease and premature mortality, all of which are interrelated. Both illnesses are associated with significant bias and discrimination.

As part of the event, hundreds of participants ratified the Toronto Charter for Mental Health and Obesity, a detailed call to action for health system funders, researchers and health practitioners to deal with this emerging issue. The Charter lists specific calls to action for governments and health providers to reduce the global burden of obesity and mental illness, chief among them:

 -- Mandatory education for health professionals on how to treat obesity and co-morbid mental illness.-- Immediate affirmative action by policy makers and funders to prioritize research and mandatory evaluation of interventions.-- Conducting a cost-analysis of mental illness co-morbid with obesity-- Compiling standards for responsible media coverage of obesity management and healthy body image.

The full Toronto Charter for Mental Health and Obesity can be viewed and downloaded here (http://www.obesitynetwork.ca/page.aspx?page=2899&app=182&cat1=457&tp=12&lk=no&menu=37).

"Separately, mental illness and obesity are understood to be huge health challenges, and it's an uphill battle for health systems to keep up with patients' needs," says Dr. Arya M. Sharma, scientific director for CON-RCO. "But taken together, the issue is greater than even the sum of its parts. The Charter was conceived as a discussion starter among stakeholders, and the first step towards real action."

"The fields of obesity and mental health are intimately linked, of enormous public and personal health importance but both remain under-recognized, under-resourced and under-researched," Professor Nick Finer, chair of the IASO's Education and Management Task Force, said. "It is our hope that the Charter begins to change all of that."

About the Canadian Obesity Network - Reseau canadien en obesite (CON-RCO)

CON-RCO was founded in 2006 to link the research, policy and practice communities to advance the development and delivery of effective obesity prevention and treatment solutions. The network's core strategies focus on addressing the stigma associated with excess weight, changing the way policy makers and health professionals approach obesity, and improving access to prevention and treatment resources. Currently, more than 7,000 professionals in Canada are members of the network. CON-RCO is hosted by the University of Alberta, and is based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, AB. www.obesitynetwork.ca.

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Men's Health Week Hits the International Stage

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading men's health organizations and experts from around the world are coming together to bring awareness to the health and well-being of men and boys during International Men's Health Week. Celebrated each June, organizations, healthcare professionals, media, policy makers and individuals host activities and promote physical, social, and psychological health in men, boys, and their families during this week. This year men's health leaders will be meeting on Thursday, June 14 and Friday, June 15 for "Gender and Health through Life," a two-day conference in Copenhagen, Denmark to mark the Danish Presidency's EU agenda of gender, equality and healthy aging.

Dr. Svend Aage Madsen, President of the Men's Health Society, Denmark said, "Awareness periods like this help end the silence surrounding men's health and encourage men and boys to participate in dialogue and take action concerning their health."

Experts and organizations from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, and elsewhere are working collaboratively this year to call attention to the impact of the global economic recession on the health and well-being of men and their families. This awareness period also calls into focus recent developments and efforts around men's health in countries like India, Thailand, and others.

"Women continue to live on average 5 years longer than men, there is no doubt that gender is an important indicator of health differences, International Men's Health Week is the perfect time to highlight these differences and take steps to improve the health of all males," stated Alan White, PhD, Professor of Men's Health, LEEDS Metropolitan University.

Dr. Ian Banks, President, European Men's Health Forum explained, "Many men die prematurely, and in higher numbers for nearly all causes of deaths. Male life expectancy can be much shorter in some countries, but recent examples of the gap slowly closing in some countries tend to indicate that contrary to popular belief, biological factors may only be but one factor influencing male relatively poorer health. It is morally repugnant that we are allowing men to die."

Recently, policy makers and researchers have been paying more attention to health disparities including race, sex, and ethnicity. However, men are still noticeably absent from these discussions despite being significantly harmed by disparities in preventive care, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. Ignoring these disparities is costly in terms of lost productivity, lives lost, and financial costs incurred by governments, employers, and families each year. Premature death and morbidity in men costs public and private entities billions annually. It also costs society as a whole in direct medical payments and lost productivity and decreased quality of life. As governments and the private sector struggle with increasing health burdens--including escalating health care costs--eliminating male health inequities emerges as an important source of savings.

Therefore, we call on the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop an international men's health strategy in collaboration with key men's health organizations, experts, and key thought leaders. This is critical because men's health impacts the health and well-being of women, children, families, and societies across the globe.

"It's important to recognize the role that women, partners, and families play in the health and well-being of the men in their lives," said Anne-Meike de Wiljes of the Netherlands.

"It is also critical to remember that men's health issues affect entire families, a healthy man can help lead to a healthy family, society, and community. We need to combat the view that men "already have everything". Yes, men do have everything including early mortality, heart disease, cancer, and many other health problems and challenges," shared Dr. John Macdonald, Director of The Men's Health Information & Resource Centre (MHIRC) at the University of Western Sydney.

International Men's Health Week also provides nations, policy makers, and leaders across the world an opportunity to work together to address the social, economic, and cultural contexts of men's lives across the lifespan. Adopting a social determinant of health framework and perspective would lead to an evidence-based approach to improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families. Addressing social determinants including issues around education, poverty, the environment, socioeconomic status, access to care and healthy food options are critical to improving the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families moving forward.

"International Men's Health Week is an ideal time to encourage men to seek preventive care, and encourage their loved ones to do the same," said Noel Richardson, PhD, Director of Men's Health Research and Training, Centre for Men's Health, Institute of Technology Carlow in Ireland.

"Individuals can encourage male friends, co-workers and families to make that annual appointment to see their healthcare provider for a check-up," said Peter Baker, Chief Executive of the Men's Health Forum (England and Wales).

"Men notice when their car doesn't perform properly, but don't listen when their body tells them it's time to see a doctor," stated Scott Williams, Vice President of Men's Health Network of the US. "International Men's Health Week is a call to action for all men and their families to take ownership of their health and well-being."

To learn more about International Men's Health Week, please visit:
www.internationalmenshealthweek.org

For media inquiries by country please contact:

USA - Scott Williams - 202-997-8065

UK - Colin Penning - 020 7922 7908

Ireland - Noel Richardson - +353872860152.

Belgium - Ian Banks - 0044 7771 557 509

Denmark - Svend Aage Madsen - +45 26 21 28 51

Australia - David Thompson - +61 2 4570 1220

Netherlands - Anne-Meike de Wiljes - +01131648488839

To learn more about International Men's Health Week, please visit: www.internationalmenshealthweek.org.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com.  For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

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Baby Boomers Create Huge Opportunity for Home Health International

VERO BEACH, FL--(Marketwire -04/23/12)- Home Health International, Inc. (Pinksheets: HHII.PK - News) is well positioned to capitalize on the opportunity the baby boomers present for home health and care giving services. Seniors are now the fastest growing population in the U.S. According to estimates from AARP (American Association of Retired People), the first wave of the nation's 76 million baby boomers are reaching the age of 65 at the rate of about 7,000 per day. Naturally, this has created a demand for health services of all types, especially home health care services.

The number of consumers eligible to receive Medicare, and mostly likely to require home health care services, is projected to increase annually and is expected to comprise 19% of the population by 2030. In addition, the baby boomers prefer to receive home health care as opposed to hospital-based services whenever possible.

Home Health International in addition to offering home health care services, plans to launch a full suite of care giving services including light housekeeping, cooking and personal care. With the trend shift to personal fitness and wellness, the Company is also researching this sector to add to its portfolio of home care services. Industry experts agree that the baby boomers, with collective wealth of over $7 trillion, spend more on health care than their parents did and are willing to pay for services that improve their quality of life.

To learn more about Home Health International, please visit http://www.homehealthintl.com.

About Home Health International Inc.
Home Health International Inc. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on September 13, 2006. The Company was formerly known as Micro Mammoth Solutions, Inc. and operated as such until January 25, 2010. On January 26, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and all of the shareholders of Atlas Capital Partners, LLC. Following the acquisition of Atlas Capital Partners the shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation changing the Company's name from Micro Mammoth Solutions, Inc. to Atlas Capital Holdings, Inc. The Company received shareholder and board approval to amend its Articles of Incorporation to change its name to Home Health International Inc. This change was approved by FINRA and became effective on March 26, 2012.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. You should consider these factors in evaluating the statements herein, and not rely on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and Home Health International Inc. undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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