Men’s Health Week 2024, celebrated from 10 June to 16 June, marks its 30th anniversary with a powerful theme: ‘Empowering Good Health’. This year, the focus is on encouraging men to adopt healthier habits that can significantly improve their wellbeing and prevent premature death. Research shows that around 40% of poor health and early death detected among Australian men can be prevented through healthier life choices.
The importance of men’s health checks
A cornerstone of this year’s Men’s Health Week is highlighting the importance of regular health checks. Many life-threatening conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes and various cancers can be managed more effectively if detected early. Regular check-ups can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, significantly improving health outcomes and saving lives.
Key areas of men’s health
There are six key areas essential for maintaining good health:
- Nutrition: A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining energy levels, supporting immune function and preventing chronic diseases. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods, sugars and excessive red meat consumption. Good nutrition can also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is vital for cardiovascular health, muscle strength and mental wellbeing. Research shows that physical inactivity kills more Australian men each year than prostate cancer, suicide or road traffic accidents, with 10 men dying each day. Finding joy in active habits like walking, going to the gym or playing sports is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Connection: Strong social connections and supportive relationships are key to emotional health and can help reduce stress and anxiety. It is important to maintain connections with family, friends and social groups. Participating in social activities can provide a sense of belonging, significantly improving mental health and overall life satisfaction.
- Reducing risk-taking: Engaging in risky behaviours such as smoking, excessive drinking and unsafe practices can significantly harm health. Avoiding risk taking can lead to a longer, healthier life and reduce the likelihood of accidents and chronic illnesses.
- Health literacy: Understanding health information and knowing how to navigate the healthcare system is crucial for making informed decisions. It’s important to be educated about common health issues, symptoms to watch out for and preventative care measures. This proactiveness can lead to seeking timely medical advice and treatment, as well as better management of health conditions.
- Sleep: Adequate and quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Poor sleep can lead to a range of health issues, including obesity, heart disease and depression. Good and regular sleep practices such as limiting screen time before bed and creating a comfortable sleep environment can improve sleep quality. Consistent, restorative sleep is fundamental for overall wellbeing and productivity.
Addressing stigmas
Dr Zac Seidler, a clinical psychologist at Movember, emphasises that societal norms around masculinity can deter men from seeking help.
“What masculinity tends to refer to and mean in the Australian context, at least from a traditional standpoint, is norms around self-reliance, independence and being a protector and provider, and none of these interact very nicely with being a help-seeker. There’s a large amount of stigma and a sense of weakness and vulnerability that comes with help-seeking rather than just getting on with it,” he says.
On average, men visit the doctor less frequently than women, leading to poorer health outcomes over their lifespan. Men’s Health is all about breaking down these barriers by promoting open conversations about health and encouraging men to take proactive steps towards improving their wellbeing.
Join the movement
Men’s Health Week is a call to action for all men to take charge of their health. By adopting healthier habits and making small, sustainable changes, men can significantly improve their health and wellbeing. Use this week to start important conversations, share valuable resources and encourage the men in our lives to prioritise their health.
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