AMA urges Aussie blokes to visit their GP in 2004
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, urges all Australian men to make their health a new-year priority by visiting their GP at least once during 2004.
Dr Glasson said one in four Australian men did not visit a doctor in the past year.
"Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that men aged 18 years and over are more likely than women to smoke, drink alcohol at risky levels, be overweight and eat poorly," Dr Glasson said.
"Men tend to engage in high risk behaviour which leads to higher rates of injury and accidents.
"Australian men die, on average, five years younger than women.
"A good relationship with your family doctor is central to good health. It's important to feel comfortable with your GP. This can take time and shouldn't be left until a crisis arises.
"The health status of Australian men is influenced by biological characteristics but it is certainly not confined to their reproductive characteristics.
"The challenge of improving the health of Australian men is complex. It involves not only care of the body but also care of the mind and the spirit. It involves the offering of hope and opportunity.
"Poverty, lack of education, poor nutrition, geographic isolation, lack of employment - all undermine men's health.
"It is vital that more research is undertaken to find out why men are not comfortable about accessing health services.
"If health services are to successfully meet the needs of men and women, then gender differences need to be taken into account in the planning and delivery of care.
"But the outlook for men's health will not improve unless they learn to do more about their own health care.
"A good first step is to become mates with their local GP," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306