Australian men are being urged to avoid delaying routine health check-ups, with experts emphasizing that early medical consultation can save lives.
The second week of June marks Men’s Health Week, a campaign focused on raising awareness about preventable health issues and addressing the life expectancy gap between men and women.
On average, men live shorter lives than women and face a higher risk of death from preventable conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and suicide.
During this year’s Men’s Health Week, Australian men are encouraged to prioritize their health by visiting their general practitioners, particularly those living in rural and remote areas, who tend to postpone medical visits.
Rod Martin, Dean of the Australian Rural and Remote Medical College, attributes this delay to factors such as distance, busy work schedules, and a common “she’ll be right” attitude among men.
“Men often take better care of their cars, tools, and families than they do themselves,” Martin told the Australian Associated Press.
He stressed, “The reality is that early health screenings and conversations with your doctor can save your life, and your rural GP is there to help, not judge.”
Men living in remote regions have a life expectancy 13 years shorter than their urban counterparts and face a preventable mortality rate 2.5 times higher.
Martin also noted that men are most likely to undergo health checks after a partner receives a diagnosis.
“Sometimes there is a denial or belief that ‘it won’t happen to me,’” he said. “But discussing various aspects of men’s health needs to become a normal part of conversation.”
This year’s Australian Men’s Health Forum features a record number of events, including webinars on prostate cancer and stroke, mental health expos, walking football, and community barbecues.
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