QLD AMA’s men’s health campaign

Doctors are urging men to ‘get real’ and become more proactive about their health as Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland’s men’s health campaign – She’ll be right: WRONG – runs this week.

AMA Queensland president, Dr Ross Cartmill, said it was evident that Australian men generally did not make an effort to see their doctor for regular check-ups, and as a result many often found themselves suffering from preventable conditions.

Dr Cartmill said while there had always been plenty of targeted campaigns promoting issues in women’s health, men’s health had continued to remain an area where people were reluctant to discuss issues openly.

“It is time we started seeing social and cultural expectations play a significant role in how men view their health needs, as for too long these expectations have acted like barriers preventing men from seeking help,” Dr Cartmill said.

“We also need to be mindful the experiences of health and illness are different for men, and therefore require different responses in terms of our efforts to better achieve men’s health outcomes,” he said.

AMA Queensland’s She’ll be right: WRONG campaign is part of the AMA’s national Family Doctor Week from 22-28 July 2007.