Men’s Health Week Warning: “50 Deaths Per Day”
By: Mike Crooks
Men’s Health Week, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is encouraging men to have their health – both mental and physical – checked.
The week runs from Monday until Sunday, June 16.
The Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) reports that each day 50 men in Australia die from preventable causes.
To bring down that alarming number, experts are encouraging men to get regular health checks.
“We want to remind men that looking after your health takes a bit of time and effort,” Simon von Saldern, the CEO of government-funded organisation Healthy Male, said.
“But it’s not as hard as you might think – and it’s far less difficult than dealing with a health condition.”
Six foundations
As part of Men’s Health Week, Healthy Male and Western Sydney University’s Centre for Male Health have joined forces to launch “Good Health Heroes”.
The campaign aims to educate Australian men on health issues and the prevention of serious health conditions and disease.
Men’s Health Week is celebrating its 30th anniversary this week.
The campaign focuses on “six key foundations” of men’s good health: nutrition, exercise, connection, reducing risk-taking, health literacy and sleep.
Visit Good Health Heroes to take a health test.
Seven checks
The AMHF recommends “seven health checks” for men to decrease the risk of death.
- Check your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol and more)
- Get a sense check (including sight and hearing)
- Check “down under” (undertake a prostate exam)
- Check for cancer
- Check your heart
- Check your head
- Check your habits (diet, alcohol consumption and so on)
“Start with small changes like a walk around the block each day or adding a new vegetable on your plate each week and work your way up,” Mr von Saldern said, on fostering a healthier lifestyle.
Look out for your mates
For everyone, Men’s Health Week is also a time to “pause and reflect” on the health challenges facing a male friend or partner.
Men are being encouraged to have their mental and physical health checked.
The R U OK? public health charity is encouraging loved ones and friends to look for signs that a man in their life is struggling.
The charity says that the questions to ask include:
- Are they becoming withdrawn?
- Have they experienced big changes in their personal or professional life?
- Are they confused, irrational or moody?
- Have they lost interest in what they used to love?
- Are they experiencing health issues?
For more information visit here.
“Getting connected and staying connected is the best thing any of us can do both for ourselves and anybody who may be at risk,” R U OK? founder Gavin Larkin said in a statement.
Find a GP
But for some health professionals, the most important step for males is to get a GP, and see them regularly.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men are less likely than women to have a regular GP.
AMHF reports that each day, 50 men in Australia die from preventable causes.
Melbourne GP Dr George Forgan-Smith told medical journal newsGP that a good way for men ensuring they are getting their health checked is to see a doctor regularly.
“The first priority is that everybody, men included, should have a regular GP, because that way we can stay on top of everything,” Dr Forgan-Smith said.
For more information on Men’s Health Week visit here.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Canva
