Males Urged to Think and Do More About Their Health

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PDF printable version of Males Urged to Think and Do More About Their Health (PDF 196 KB)

15 June 2012

The Minister responsible for male health, Warren Snowdon, today launched the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) second male health bulletin, Health of Australia’s males: a focus on five population groups, during a visit to the Murrumbateman Men’s Shed.

The bulletin examines five male population groups at risk of poor health: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males; those living in regional and remote areas; males living in
socio-economically disadvantaged areas; males born overseas; and older males.

“This bulletin shows just being a part of these groups can have a very mixed impact on health, but often preventable risk factors play a role,” Mr Snowdon said.

“For example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have a reduced life expectancy of 67 years - 11.5 years less than the wider male population. With men living in remote areas having a higher rate of lung cancer, and are around twice as likely to die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and suicide.

“While we also see males born overseas generally enjoy better health than males born in Australia, with fewer risk factors and lower overall mortality and hospitalisations.

“Generally men aged 65 and over have fewer risk factors such as obesity and tobacco smoking than younger males,” he said.

“This bulletin, the second of four to be produced by the AIHW, will help raise awareness of male health in the community and will contribute towards policy development and the work of health professionals and others concerned with these issues.”

Mr Snowdon said the AIHW bulletins were a component of the National Male Health Policy, released by the Government in 2010 and supported by $16.7 million in funding.

“The National Male Health Policy provides a framework for improving the health of all males and achieving equal health outcomes for population groups of males at risk of poor health,” he said.

“For example, the policy supports men’s sheds – such as the one at Murrumbateman – which provide meeting places where men can find social support and camaraderie.

“The 76 men’s sheds funded to date have been very successful in reaching marginalised and isolated males and improving male health and wellbeing.”

The launch of the AIHW bulletin at the Murrumbateman Men’s Shed was one of a number of activities around the nation celebrating Men’s Health Week (11-17 June 2012).

While launching the bulletin, Mr Snowdon also encouraged men to complete the ‘What’s Your Score?’ survey developed by Foundation 49, Diabetes Australia and the Skin Cancer College as a part of Men’s Health Week.

“This two-minute health assessment will allow men see how their health rates against some of our leading sports celebrities and media personalities, and will hopefully encourage them to undertake a regular health check-up,” Mr Snowdon said.

For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7820