On average, Kiwi men are more likely to get to get sick from serious health problems than women.
They have a lower life expectancy, higher mortality rate and die in greater numbers than females from almost all non-sex-specific health problems, and potentially avoidable causes.
• 60% of heart disease deaths were men (in 2020)
• Men are 70% more likely to die from suicide than women (in 2018)
• 74% of road deaths were male (in 2022)
In addition, women are twice as likely to seek help for their mental health than men. So we can see that men can be especially good at the ‘head in the sand’ approach to their health. It can be all too tempting to just ignore that niggle, that lump or that ‘just not feeling ourselves’. Who wants to have that slightly awkward conversation with a friend or doctor? Far better to just ignore it and hope it goes away. Heads up guys - our health doesn’t work like that. In fact, does anything in life respond well to the head in the sand approach?!
The question is – is a little embarrassment worth some extra days on this planet?
However, it is not all doom and gloom, as there is so much we can do to help protect our health. Catching changes to our health early gives us the very best chance to get treatment early. So please don’t put off your regular health checks, or a check-up for something that doesn’t feel quite right – it could be lifesaving.
So, what are the important regular tests that men should be getting, and at what age should you start?
| 20's and 30's | 40's | 50's |
Blood pressure | YES | YES | YES |
Blood glucose | YES | YES | YES |
Cholesterol | YES | YES | YES |
Testicle checks | YES | YES | YES |
Dental check and clean | YES | YES | YES |
Skin checks | YES | YES | YES |
STI checks | If applicable | If applicable | If applicable |
Weight measurements | YES | YES | YES |
Eye check | | YES | YES |
Prostate cancer checks | | | YES |
Bone density scans | | | YES |
Bowel cancer check | | | YES |
Hearing assessment | | | YES |
Whilst regular checks will help pick up anything that might be going on ‘under the hood’ which we cannot see, there is also plenty we can do to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure. We can lower our risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and strokes by following some pretty simple steps:
Eat a diet rich in whole foods
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Reduce stress
Prioritise sleep – quality and quantity
Perform regular self-checks
Attend regular doctor check-ups
However, YOU are the only person that can make these changes, no one can do it for you. YOU have to prioritise your health, even if it feels like you are letting people down. Is it not about ME FIRST, it is about ME TOO. Ask yourself is letting someone down momentarily to put your health first worse than letting them down by being absent altogether?
What one step can you take today to give you the BEST chance of a healthier tomorrow?
If your workplace could benefit from a Men's Health workshop, please get in touch!
