Hey man, take charge of your health
AMA Queensland is urging all Queensland men to take greater care of their health and so reduce their chance of developing potentially preventable diseases.
AMA Queensland President Dr Chris Davis said International Men’s Health Week 09 was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of men’s health.
“Statistics show around five Australian men die every hour from potentially preventable disease,” Dr Davis said.
“This rate is alarming, but there are a few things all Queensland men can do to reverse this trend and improve their quality of life.
“For example quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, understand the critical role of healthy eating, have your blood pressure checked annually and talk to your GP if you are concerned about your mental health, or are just feeling stressed out or run down,” he said.
Dr Davis said it was also important men took proactive steps to ensure their sexual and reproductive health and function.
“Around 40 per cent of men over 40 who have casual sex never use a condom, so it’s important to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to ensure the health of you and your partner.
“It’s also a good idea to have a chat to your GP about reproductive health, such as if you are considering having a vasectomy.
“Testosterone levels can also be a concern to many men, with 1 in 200 Australian men under the age of 60 experiencing testosterone deficiency - this can be tested and treated by your GP,” he said.
For more information on Men’s Health Week 09, log on to the website at: http://www.menshealthweek.com.au.
