Men’s Health
Victorian men are more likely than women to get sick from serious health problems. Their mortality rate is also much higher. On an average the life expectancy of a man is reported to be 6 years lesser than a woman. Men outnumber women in many causes of death including suicide, trachea and lung cancers, ischaemic heart disease, blood and lymph cancers, including leukaemia, colon and rectum cancers. Furthermore, compared to women, men visit the doctor less frequently, have shorter visits and only attend when their illness is in its later stages.
Keep active – Move More
Create a regular exercise routine and stick to it. Adults are recommended to have at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intense physical activity every week like jogging, cycling and swimming.
Eat to thrive!
Eat real food, including fruits and vegetables. These have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases.
Quit toxic habits – it is never too late to quite!
Quit smoking, vaping, abusing alcohol and other substances. This has immediate and long-term benefits. It improves your health, lowers your risk of cancer and other substance related illnesses.
Mental Wellness – check your mind
Doing a self-assessment of your own mental health is important – sometimes we don’t notice how ‘bad’ things have gotten until they start to cause us problems. It’s never too late to act. Reach out and make contact to ask for help or support if needed – talk about how your feeling, it is not a sign of weakness.
Get enough sleep
At least 7-8 hours per night. Not enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression.
Where to get help
- Talk to a GP or medical practitioner
- Seek a referral to a mental health professional
- Use workplace well-being resources e.g. employee assistance program (EAP)
- Use school-based well-being resources e.g. school wellbeing officers
- ADDRESS
Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit
219-225 Wyndham Street
Shepparton, 3630
- CONTACT
- RELEVANT HELPLINES
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Men’s Line 1800 78 99 78
Relationships Australia 1300 364 27
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Australian Men’s Shed Association 1300 550 009