Listen Mate, Shape Up

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday June 15, 2005

By ALICE KELLY Health Reporter

DRINK in moderation, eat well, exercise, visit your GP often but don't smoke, work on a farm or drive your car fast.

This is one recipe for blokes who want a long, healthy life.

This week is International Men's Health Week and some reckon the health and wellbeing of men has been long neglected by health authorities and fellas themselves.

Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter Men's Program manager Greg Milan said yesterday men were significantly more likely to die young than women and many of these deaths could be prevented.

Men are: 61 per cent more likely to die from heart disease, 72 per cent more likely to have diabetes, 42 per cent more likely to die in car accidents, twice as likely to die from lung diseases and four times more likely to commit suicide.

Almost all of those working in the 10 most dangerous jobs, such as farm work, are men, who make up 94 per cent of those who die in the workplace.

Suicide, car crash deaths, injury, drugs and alcohol, sexual problems and depression are significant health issues that affect males aged 15 to 44, according to the International Men's Health Week website.

If something goes wrong as men grow older, they are much less likely to get symptoms checked.

Mr Milan said a good start would be to see the doctor for a check-up.

For a long and healthy life, men could stress less by approaching problems in a different way, eat well and cut down sugar, salt and saturated fats but don't get "hung up" on diets, exercise and "lighten up".

"We're tending to be worried these days over more things in our lives than you can poke a stick at," Mr Milan said. "Maybe it's time to lighten up and live a little."

What is killing the men of the Hunter

15-24 YEARS

? Unintentional injuries: 36%

? Intentional injuries (includes self-harm): 34%

25-44 YEARS

? Unintentional injuries: 26%

? Intentional injuries (including self-harm): 25%

45-64 YEARS

? Cancer: 41%

? Cardiovascular disease: 33%

65+ YEARS

? Cardiovascular disease: 44%

? Cancer: 30%

HEALTHY ADVICE FOR HAPPY MALES

? Stress less: Try to divide problems into manageable bits; don't take on too much.

? Eat well on fruit, vegies, cereals, dairy and meat, cut down on sugar, salt and saturated fats.

? Walk, swim, run or do gym work, meditate, do yoga, Tai Chi or get a massage.

? Lighten up: Don't worry too much or work too hard.

Sources: Hunter New England Health's State of Health in the Hunter report and men's health consultant Greg Milan

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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