Aussie men urged to speak up about their health
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has appointed a number of men’s health ambassadors to help engage Australian men in developing a National Men’s Health Policy in 2009, with discussions to be held in all states and territories.
Community groups will also be encouraged to hold their own local discussions about men’s health.
She announced the names of the first of the ambassadors, who have signed up, and released information to aid discussion and debate.
There are specific health problems that disproportionately affect men: Life expectancy for Australian men, for example, is 4.8 years less than that of women – 78.7 years for men, compared with 83.5 years for women.
Men also experience 70% of disease related to injury, and bear the brunt of suicide (78%), and road accidents (73%).
Men under 75 years are almost three times more likely to die from coronary heart disease, stroke and vascular disease than women, and men are also over represented in deaths related to HIV/AIDS, lung cancer, emphysema and liver disease.
Australian men have the second highest rate of bowel cancer in the world.
Gender is a key determinant of health in Australia, and the best way to improve health outcomes is to have policies that recognise the unique needs of men.
A National Men’s Health Policy is also needed to address the specific health needs of communities of men, who have the poorest health outcomes, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, and men living in rural and remote areas.
As well as the detailed information materials being made available, there is also a ready made Power Point presentation that can be downloaded and used by people interested in holding their own local community discussion on men’s health.
The presentation is designed to lead discussions and examine issues such as identifying gaps in men’s health and barriers for men in accessing health care.
Copies of these materials can be found at:
www.health.gov.au/menshealthpolicy
An additional resource kit, developed by Andrology Australia, called What every man needs to know, is also available by emailing:
