Get in the know with You Check

First of its kind, online health awareness tool helps men make small changes to improve their health

TORONTO, June 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Thanks to Sun Life Financial's support, Canadian men can now use You Check - a quick, free, anonymous online tool - to easily assess their risk for serious illnesses by answering a few simple questions. You Check - the world's first men's online health awareness tool - provides men with a customized report, suggestions for how to improve their quality of life and advice on how to establish healthy habits.

"With 70% of men's health issues being preventable, we are proud to support You Check as a way to bring early attention to the risk factors of certain diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle for Canadian men," said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy & Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial.

You Check, created by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and launched by the new Canadian Men's Health Foundation (CMHF), enables men to assess their risk for serious illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, low testosterone and osteoporosis.

"As part of our philanthropic support, primarily aimed at diabetes awareness and prevention, we're thrilled to be part of an initiative that could make all the difference in someone's life," said Joliat.

About You Check
You Check is programmed to analyze medical factors and answers relating to family history, and symptoms to produce a personal risk profile and make recommendations such as visiting a physician if necessary. It's an evidence-based educational resource that has the potential to change the way Canadian men examine their health now and in the future.

Risk factors for certain diseases vary widely between men and women, which is why You Check has the potential to be such a powerful tool. For example, Canadian men, on average, experience nine years of poor health and disability before death, are 40% more likely to die from cancer than women, and are 57% more likely to die from diabetes.

In 2009 the Men's Health Initiative of British Columbia was formed by the UBC with a goal of helping men feel better and live healthier. Now launching as the CMHF, their national awareness campaign, Don't Change Much, is encouraging men to make small, healthy lifestyle changes that will profoundly impact their lives.

The CMHF will work closely with the UBC to oversee pilot testing of You Check and work is underway to complete a similar tool for women in approximately a year.

For tips and tools for healthy living, visit BrighterLife.ca.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2014 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $671 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.