#MenStartTalking June 2020

menshealthmonth.co.nz

Men’s Health Month is a great time to have a think about our health and how important it is, to start talking about it with our mates, families and doctors, and to do something for ourselves, to be just a little bit healthier.

DID YOU KNOW...

NZ men live on average four years less than women, and yet still remain much less likely to talk to a GP about their health. Latest statistics available tell us that one New Zealand man dies every three hours of a potentially avoidable illness; with death rates for Maori men nearly double that of non-Maori (Statistics NZ). Six out of 10 New Zealand males are overweight. Nearly a quarter of New Zealand men smoke. 27% of men have potentially hazardous drinking patterns.

Latest research shows that men are at greater risk of stroke than women, with stroke being the second biggest single cause of death and the largest cause of disability in adults in New Zealand. We’ve got to get more men taking the simple steps to prevent early death and disability.

Diabetes is New Zealand’s fastest-growing health crisis, affecting a quarter of a million people. The number of New Zealanders living with diabetes has doubled from 125,000 to 250,000 [i] in the past 10 years, with 40 new diabetes diagnoses every day.

Everyone is at risk of diabetes and one in four New Zealanders is believed to have prediabetes. That’s more than a million people, who in many cases, could prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes with a healthy lifestyle of nutritional eating and regular exercise.

Visiting a health professional is a great way to assess your risk of diabetes. There are so many simple ways you can reduce your risk.” Mental Health: why it matters for men things happen in life, like difficulties with work or finances, the breakdown of a relationship, overwhelming family responsibilities, or a significant setback. These challenges can take a serious toll on your mental health, if left unchecked. Many men tough it out and struggle alone.

Establishing and maintaining relationships, talking about the hard stuff in life and taking action when times are tough are proven ways for men stay mentally healthy and cope with the stress of everyday life. Good overall health and wellbeing is linked to not only to better mental health but also reduces the likelihood of suicide.

Some signs of poor mental health include feeling irritable, hopeless or worthless and behaviors such as aggression, drinking more than usual and isolating yourself from friends and family.