This year’s Men’s Health Week in Australia carries a clear and urgent message: “See a GP.” The campaign, aimed at placing men’s wellbeing at the forefront, resonates strongly with RACGP President Dr Michael Wright, who highlights men’s lower GP attendance and shorter life expectancy as pressing concerns.
Data from 2023–24 reveals women averaged 7.1 Medicare-subsidised GP visits, while men averaged just 5.2, continuing a long-standing trend. Dr Wright stresses the importance of raising awareness about health conditions disproportionately affecting men and encourages regular checkups with a familiar GP.
“Men are more likely to smoke, drink excessively, and engage in risky behaviors, yet they visit doctors less often than women,” Dr Wright said. The campaign, running from June 9 to 16 and led by The Centre for Male Health at Western Sydney University, particularly targets men aged 18 to 44, urging them to schedule GP appointments promptly. Organisers warn that two in three Australian men delay seeing a doctor despite noticing health issues.
Mental health is another critical focus. Men are significantly less likely to seek professional help, with only 12.8% consulting a GP for mental health concerns compared to 21.1% of women. Nearly one in five Australian men faced a mental health disorder in the past year, rising to almost one in three among men aged 18 to 24. Dr Wright emphasizes breaking down stigma and misinformation to encourage open discussion and timely treatment.
Preventive health remains central to the campaign’s message. Regular annual visits to a GP help men build trusting relationships with their doctors, enabling early detection and easier management of both serious and minor health issues.
The campaign also highlights the dangers of misinformation, urging men to rely on qualified medical advice rather than family, friends, or unreliable online sources. “Your doctor knows health,” is a key phrase promoted throughout the awareness week, a message Dr Wright fully supports as vital for improving men’s health outcomes.
Related Topics
