Men’s Health Week 14-20 June
The M5 Project, an initiative of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), has introduced a new online health risk assessment tool aimed at getting men to take an active role in focusing on their health and wellbeing.
M5 HEALTH ONLINE is designed to engage men with a personalised experience that includes targeted health information and interactive risk assessments, coupled with professional ongoing support and advice.
It provides clear and concise information on diseases and conditions, as well as wellness and lifestyle issues.
The unique factor about the program is its ability to track and monitor behavioural change and encourage men to maintain their own health and wellbeing in a user-friendly and interactive format, keeping men motivated with interesting facts and resources, to-do lists and interactive tools and calculators.
RACGP president, Dr Chris Mitchell, said that M5 HEALTH ONLINE will allow men of all ages to access information tailored to their individual needs to better manage their health, prevent future illness and live healthier, happier lives.
The RACGP has attempted to address many of the ongoing issues surrounding men’s health through their ongoing men’s health initiatives, including the M5 Project.
The M5 Project encourages males to take five key preventive steps to improve their health:
- Share your family history with your GP
- Know your healthy weight
- Check your blood pressure
- Stop smoking – it’s the only healthy option
- Maintain a healthy mind and a healthy body
Dr Mitchell said that with Men’s Health Week occurring from 14 – 20 June, it is timely to remind men that small changes in their lifestyle can mean big 2010 improvements in their health and benefits not only for themselves, but for their loved ones.
“With research showing that men are more likely to eat food high in fat, exercise less after the age of 35, drink alcohol in excessive amounts, smoke, use illicit drugs and not admit to experiencing emotional stress, men’s health issues will not disappear any time soon.
“It is crucial for GPs to ensure they continue to do all they can to address the specific issues facing men when it comes to their health, for both their individual patients and the wider community,” he said.
For more information about the M5 Project and M5 HEALTH ONLINE, visit http://www.m5project.com.au
