Men’s Health Week focuses on prevention

MEN’S Health Week is held from 15 June until 21 June in Australia and other countries around the world, including Ireland, the UK, Canada, and the United States.

The overall aims of the week are to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages, support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities, and encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

Men’s health, and, particularly mental health, is an increasing focus, and concern is widespread about the spread of ‘toxic masculinity’ among young men and boys online.

Co-founder and CEO of The Men’s Table,  David Pointon, said the national conversation about men and boys often focused on what is going wrong, but his organisation’s data and stories pointed to a more hopeful and constructive narrative.

“We often ask where the male role models are, but our experience tells us they are already here – in suburbs, regional towns and communities across Australia,” he said.

“They are the men who keep showing up, who listen, who learn to be open, who check in on each other, and who are redefining strength as something that includes care, vulnerability and connection.

“The national focus on healthy men and community conversations reinforces what we are seeing every month at Tables across Australia.

“Men want and need places where they can speak honestly, be heard without judgement, and build the kind of trusted relationships that support better health, stronger families and safer communities.

“Connection is a proven, scalable solution, and it is time we treated it like one.”

Australian men also face several major physical health risks, many preventable.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says that males experience higher rates of death from many leading causes, including heart disease, suicide, and some cancers.

The Heart Foundation notes that risk factors such as high blood pressure, poor diet, inactivity, smoking, chronic stress, and poor sleep all increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

These are common issues in high-pressure workplaces and busy family lives.

Men are also often less likely to seek help early and a major recommendation during Men’s Health Week is for men to organise a check-up with their GP.

For men seeking connection with other men, the Coffs Harbour LGA has a number of support groups for men, such as The Men’s Shed, The Men’s Table and Sawtell Men.

Starting points for men seeking help or simply something more in their lives can be found at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/men or by searching ‘mens health’ online.

By Andrew VIVIAN