First Step Towards A Healthier Aussie Bloke

Main Category: Preventive Medicine
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice;  Public Health
Article Date: 26 Nov 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) today congratulated the Australian Government for beginning a conversation about men's health and for their proposal to develop Australia's first ever National Men's Health Policy.

"Australian GPs welcome this commitment which recognises men's health as a policy priority. This move adds to efforts to enhance awareness of the many important health issues men face across all age groups," said Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in northern New South Wales.

"We also want to see this campaign getting men on the front foot, going to see their GP, and taking steps to improve their lifestyle to ensure better health; it's sometimes just as important to see your GP when you are healthy as it is to do so when you are sick.

Men face a higher death rate than women when it comes to cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, respiratory disease and mental health problems, including suicide and accidents. Men tend to present later with health problems, visit their GP less frequently and when they do, they have shorter consultations and are less likely to come in for preventative health checks.

"The college is in the process of developing a national men's preventative health campaign with seed funding from The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The campaign will be launched in March 2009," said Dr Mitchell.

"We are very keen on working with the Government to improve the health of men around Australia," Dr Mitchell said.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners