International Men’s Health Week
Men are being urged to “talk tackle” with their doctor this week and beyond as International Men’s Health Week kicked off on Monday (11 June 2012). Andrology Australia, administered by Monash University’s Institute of Medical Research, aims to raise awareness of men’s reproductive disorders.
Men are being urged to “talk tackle” with their doctor this week and beyond as International Men’s Health Week kicked off on Monday (11 June 2012).
Andrology Australia, administered by Monash University’s Institute of Medical Research, aims to raise awareness of men’s reproductive disorders.
Each year, Andrology Australia provides themed resources at no charge for events ranging from displays in local libraries, workplaces and community health centres to large-scale activities with guest speakers.
This year’s theme ‘Time to talk tackle’ encourages men to talk about the ‘bits below the belt’, particularly with their doctors.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last week revealed Australian men were reluctant to visit their doctor for a general health check-up and should be encouraged to view their GP as a friend “who can help them when they’re sick”.
Only 39% of Australian men discussed healthy lifestyle issues with their GP, according to the most recent figures.
Speaking at a recent launch of men’s health week, Indigenous Health Minister, Warren Snowdon, encouraged males to dispense with their reluctance to visit their doctor.
Mr Snowdon said mental health was still a “taboo subject” for many men and urged younger Australians not to copy the behaviour of their older counterparts.
“In the older generation, males are males – you never had a man-hug. Too many men don’t want to go to a doctor and they need to understand that a doctor is a friend, someone who can help them when they’re sick,” he told AAP.
“We need to highlight to Australian males of all ages that it’s important to look after themselves and be healthy.”
Mental health issues will also be a key focus of this year’s men’s health week, with ABS data showing nearly half (48%) of Australian men have suffered some form of mental health issue.
