menshealthaustralia.net

 NSW Men's Health Policy Announced

The first men's health policy in a decade is due to be released tomorrow and is expected to herald a significant cultural shift away from blaming men for their poor health to recognising social factors and the need for "male friendly" services. John Macdonald, of the University of Western Sydney, said social determinants such as whether a man is retired, has a long commute to work or has children play a huge role in men's health but have previously been ignored in health policy. Professor Macdonald, who will address the National Men's Health Gathering starting in Newcastle today, said the new policy was the first of its kind in Australia. He said the idea that men generally had poorer health than women because of lax attitudes was more myth than reality.