menshealthaustralia.net

Issues: Physical health

Associate Professor Gary Wittert from the University of Adelaide's Department of Medicine tells us that

"Compared with women, Australian men of all ages are less healthy and therefore do not enjoy as good a quality of life as they should.

All chronic conditions such as obesity, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease occur more frequently in men and their life expectancy is five years less than that of women. Men are less likely to use health services, especially in relation to preventative services and early intervention, and the quality of their mental health is below that of women's. In addition, some diseases that exclusively affect men, such as prostate cancer, are insufficiently understood - screening remains controversial and there is little data regarding prevention.

Identifying the reasons for men's poorer physical and mental health is an imperative. We hope that measures could then be developed and implemented to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, eventually prevent diseases, and guide the development of appropriate health services and policy."

The Australian male mortality rate (the number of deaths from all causes) is 146% of the female mortality rate. Overall, for every two women that die, three men die. More men die at every age grouping than women except for the over 65 year old group (most men have died by this age anyway!).

In 2003, a male child in Australia could expect to live 5 years and 10 months less than his sister. This difference has more than doubled over the past century.

Males suffer higher death rates from nearly all non-sex specific leading causes. Heart disease and cancer occur more frequently in males than in females at all ages, and until very old age, men have the overwhelming majority of accidents and injuries . Men suffer higher death rates across all of the 10 leading causes of death. If we take the boys and girls in our primary schools as an example, while the deaths from diseases such as cancer will be about equal, twice as many boys will die from accidents such as falls and drowning as will girls. In high school, the road traffic accident rate worsens. And to that we have to add suicide, alcohol abuse and head injuries. It is the boys in the bottom classes who are most likely to turn up in the morgues and casualty sections of the hospitals.

false Online study looking at Self and Health Behaviours

You are invited to participate in an online study looking at Self and Health Behaviours. This project, conducted as part of a PhD in psychology at the Australian National University, is investigating how people understand themselves, and how this relates to their health attitudes and the things they do.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME. Participation involves answering some questions about yourself, your attitudes and your behaviours. It's completely anonymous and voluntary. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the study. If you would like to participate in this study, please follow this link: https://anupsych.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_8xhKKcxHqlBBSTi . If you would like more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

pdf ABS - Australian Social Trends, June 2010 - Men's Health

Men's attitudes towards health and health services are different to those of women. These differences are due to both biological and gender factors. Men are more likely than women to engage in risky behaviours such as substance abuse and dangerous driving. They also have a higher incidence of many conditions, and are more likely to die from certain causes.

Understanding these gender and biological differences is an important step to achieving gender equity and in achieving the highest standard of public health. In recognition of this, the Australian Government recently released a National Male Health Policy, providing a framework for improving male health across Australia, across different life stages and population groups.

The ABS article focuses specifically on issues of men's health and complements information on issues relating to women's health included in Australian Social Trends 2004, 'How women care for their health'.

false Men’s Health Around the World: a review of policy and progress across 11 countries

In a new joint publication reviewing progress across the world on men’s health, the EMHF has called on the EU to back more research and show greater sensitivity to men's health at policy level.

Men’s Health Around the World: a review of policy and progress across 11 countries, which was to be launched at the World Congress on Men's Health in Vienna this month, was coordinated by EMHF director Erick Savoye and David Wilkins, the policy officer of EMHF member, the Men’s Health Forum England and Wales (MHF). The publication looks at the state of men’s health and the varying government responses in Australia, Canada, Denmark, England & Wales, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland and the USA. It begins with an introduction by David Wilkins and concludes with an overview of men’s health in Europe by Erick Savoye.

pdf Sounding health alarm for 'beached whales'

Despite continuing protestations from vocal female lobby groups, women have actually faired well over the past couple of decades when it comes to the status of their health, thanks to the introduction of a national health policy in the late ’80s that became the platform for better care for women. Conversely, men are not fairing so well. While research funding and campaigns to raise awareness to treat breast, cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer continue seemingly unabated, empowering women against these lethal diseases, funding for male specific diseases is paltry by comparison.

pdf Health in Men Program - Toolbox Meetings 2009

The Royal Adelaide Hospital Health Promotion Unit has organised the following series of talks on men's health issues in 2009:

April 3: ‘Knowing yourself inside and out’ National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and other common bowel problems
Guest speakers: Kathy Pietris, National Bowel Cancer Screening Program & Dr Matthew Lawrence, RAH Surgical Consultant

May 22: Men, Healthy Eating and Food Labels
Guest speaker: Julee Hawthorn, Nutritionist, RAH Health Promotion

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