Being a digger and a bloke
Being a bloke
Men and their health
- Men die at a greater rate in all age groups
- Men have higher levels of morbidity for common illnesses
- Men are more likely to commit suicide (up to 8 times the rate of women in the same age groups)
- Men suffer from a greater level of severe mental illness
- Men suffer from a greater rate of all cancers that are not sex-related
- Men use services (hospital and GPs, as well as other health related providers such as naturopaths and telephone counselling) at a lower rate than women
- Men use preventative services at a lower rate than women
- Men are the overwhelming majority of those
injured or killed in work settings.
NSW Chief Health Officer's Report, 1999.
Leading men's health problems are:
- Heart disease
- Prostate cancer
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- High cholesterol
- Erectile dysfunction
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Enlarged prostate.
Life expectancy for women is 82 years BUT for blokes it's 78 years. Men also see GPs less often than women (about 20%).
Do you visit your doctor for regular health checks?
How long is it since you've been for a check up with your local doctor?
Too many Australian veterans have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoke, drink too much, are overweight, and don't exercise regularly, increasing the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Make an appointment to have a health check including:
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes
- A prostate check
- Heart disease
- Cholesterol.
Is your health worth more to you?
There are lifestyle choices you can do something about today:
- Stop smoking
- Cut down on alcohol
- Minimise stress.
Only you can make the decision to change to a healthier lifestyle.
Where can I go for help?
- Your GP is the best starting point
- Community Health Centres
Are you what you see in the mirror?