There are warnings of a silent crisis in men’s health with new research suggesting cost and access pressures are causing men across Regional Australia to delay healthcare.
A national survey has found 1 in 2 Australian men (51%) are delaying medical appointments, while 1 in 10 have admitted to skipping or stretching out prescriptions to save money.
Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO, Anne Savage, says it highlights the need to improve healthcare access and support for men, especially in Regional Communities.
Also this International Men’s Health Week (9–15 June), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is backing the national “See Your GP” campaign launched by Healthy Male and the Centre for Male Health.
The campaign urges men to prioritise their wellbeing and book a health check.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the campaign’s message, “Before you take everyone else’s advice, talk to your doctor”, is especially vital for men in rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
“Too often, rural men put off seeing a doctor, whether it’s due to distance, busy workloads, or the old attitude of ‘she’ll be right’,” Dr Martin says.
“But the truth is, early checks and conversations with your doctor can save your life — and your Rural Generalist (RG) doctor is there to help you, not judge you.”
“Recent data shows men living in very remote areas die up to 13 years earlier than those in cities, and rates of potentially avoidable deaths are two and a half times higher.”
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/blood-pressure-monitor-health-1749577/
