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Men need healthier attitude to health
12 June 2011
AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley today called on men to be proactive about their health and wellbeing.
“Men are more likely to experience health problems than women. It is important that men are aware of their physical and mental health and see their doctor when problems arise,” said Dr Hemley.
Dr Hemley made his comments prior to the start of Men’s Health Week which runs from June 13 – 19.
“Men are more likely than women to suffer from cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Despite this, many men are not getting regular check ups from their family doctor,” he said.
“Some men have a tendency to overlook what they consider minor health concerns. The problem is, often these concerns aren’t minor at all.
“Men often allow preventable problems to escalate into serious medical issues.
“There’s nothing heroic about living with pain or discomfort,” said Dr Hemley. “Some men think that it’s better to soldier on with everything from the flu to serious, life threatening illnesses.”
“Mental health in men must not be ignored. It can be particularly hard for men to acknowledge that they are not coping but it is vitally important that they seek help.
“One in six men suffer from depression at any given time and the number of suicides for males is four times higher than for females.”
“Stress, burnout and overwork can impact on men’s health, particularly if they’re not sleeping well, eating a nutritious diet or getting enough down time.”
“Anyone working in medicine knows that men often experience poorer health outcomes than women, and die earlier.
“A major factor in improving men’s access to health services is achieving a long-term change in men’s awareness and attitudes about their own health. While some progress has been made in recent years more needs to be done.”
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