Men’s Health Week is an important time to encourage men and boys to value their well-being and empower them to optimise it, while examining the factors that can make this task challenging.
While the health of Australian men is better than many — with the eighth highest life expectancy in the developing world — there’s still substantial room for improvement. More men than women die from almost every non-sex-specific health problem, and more men die from diseases that can be prevented1. These health outcomes are further influenced by age, race, sexuality, socioeconomic status, geography, and disability.
It’s critical to address the excess burden of morbidity and mortality in men, not just for the individual, because it can have a transformative social and economic impact with benefits for women, children and society as a whole2.
Recognising where the roadblocks are
There’s an unhelpful misconception that men aren’t interested in their health, which can discourage them from engaging with health services and put unnecessary blame on blokes. Fortunately, with the right encouragement and environment, men are more than up to the task of prioritising their health, and nine out of ten men would like to take a more proactive role in their wellbeing7.
Men’s health is a shared responsibility between men, health professionals and the health system.
Men need to be proactive in managing their health and make the most of preventative care rather than putting problems off. But equally, health services need to effectively engage men and offer an environment where their needs are addressed when they do come through the door.
It’s a team effort
That’s why our focus for Men’s Health Week 2021 is on what it means to have a team.
From your GP to a colleague, a counsellor to your footy club — depending on what’s happening in your life you’ll need certain people, services and information on your team at different times.
Highlighting what it means to be healthy
Good health is more than being free from sickness or disease, it’s about being in the best position physically, mentally and socially, to enjoy life and navigate the bumps in the road (rather than breaking down) when they do arise.
Our physical, mental and social health are closely connected — what affects our body can impact our mind and our relationships, while our mental health can influence our physical state. Our connection to others and the people we have around us can be critical for our physical and mental wellbeing.
What can you do to promote Men’s Health Week?
“Men’s Health Week is a chance for men, and their families and friends, to think about their health and the many things they can do to make a difference,” Healthy Male CEO Simon von Saldern says.
There is a range of ways you can do this, whether it’s raising awareness on social media, hosting an event or sharing important information with the men in your life.
Get your hands on our free resources to help you spread the word this Men’s Health Week.
