What do we know about Australian men?
A 2011 report titled The health of Australia’s males looked at a range of issues relating to men’s health, including attitude, rates of injury and illness, and the use of health services available to Australian men. The following points highlight the positive and negative aspects of men’s health outlined in that report.
The good
- Australian male life expectancy is 79 years, ranked fourth among OECD countries. The OECD is an international economic organisation involving 34 developed countries.
- About two-thirds of males participate in sport or physical activity.
- Rates of daily smoking decreased from 27% in 1991 to 18% in 2007.
The bad
- Just 5% of adult males consume enough fruit and vegetables.
- Around 10% of men are consuming alcohol at a level that places them at risk of alcohol related harm.
- Around 10% of men had a long-term condition as a result of a workplace injury.
- Australian men make fewer healthcare professional visits than women. Only 40% of men discuss healthy lifestyle issues with their healthcare professional.
The ugly
- About two-thirds of adult males and one-quarter of boys (aged 5-17 years) are overweight or obese.
- Almost half of the Australian male population have had a mental health condition.
- Close to one-third have a chronic health condition.
- Almost half of all adult men have experienced sexual difficulty for at least a month, while 80% of men aged 40 years and over were concerned about losing erectile function.
To learn more, you can download the full report here.
What can Australian men can do to boost their health?
Men in a good state of health are better equipped to contribute and participate more fully in their families, communities, social groups, education and employment.
The following tips offer some practical, health boosting strategies, and may also help to address some of the shortcomings in men’s health identified above.
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Eat more vegetables – Aim to eat at least 5 serving of vegetables each day (and no Homer, that doesn’t include hot chips). Vegetables are loaded with fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and they can assist with weight control and heart health. Look to include them in soups, salads and stir frys.
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Be active consistently – While a number of men reported to have participated in sport or physical activity in the previous 12 months, it takes regular and consistent exercise on most days of the week to have a serious impact on your health. Physical activity can improve the psychological wellbeing of men and may foster social networks, while it’s also associated with a healthy body weight and a reduced risk of many chronic conditions and injuries.
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Drink alcohol in moderation - Excessive alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for a variety of health problems, and may contribute to injuries and accidents, weight gain and erectile dysfunction. Try to include a number of alcohol-free days each week, and when you do drink, drink no more than 2 standard drinks on any day.
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Get involved – Participation in social groups and organisations was associated with higher levels of physical activity and health literacy among males. Regular contact and interaction with family and friends may also help to strengthen personal relationships and make life easier during times of stress, boosting mental health.
References available on request