Men 39;s Health Australia
Jacinto Man
These barriers are caused, in the main, because Australian men are less likely to seek treatment from a general practitioner or other health professional, and are less likely to have in place the supports and social connections needed when they experience physical and mental health problems[2]. Compared to women, Australian men not only see their GP less often, but when they do access a health professional it is for shorter consultations, and typically when a condition or illness is advanced[3].
The reasons why men access health care less often than women are complex. What is clear is that the consequences of these differences are often manifested in individual and public health problems, such as the misuse of alcohol and drugs, employment and housing difficulties, family and domestic violence, and risk-taking behaviours.
Men and women also experience different health outcomes as a result of physiological differences, and socially constructed behavioural expectations. There are also genetic, physiological, and hormonal differences. There are both subtle and significant physiological differences between men and women, including hormonal, anatomical, metabolic, and chromosomal variations.
There are subtle and distinct differences in the emotional maturation of boys and girls.[7] These differences may be interpreted as disruptive or destructive behaviour, and can lead to boys becoming disenfranchised from mainstream education.
Understanding and accommodating the different rates of language acquisition between boys and girls, and differences in learning, including their social manifestations, must be recognised and considered as part of targeted health care strategies designed to improve access and improve the health of Australian men.
Risk-taking behaviour is another major factor, particularly in those under the age of 25. Australian men are more than twice as likely to die in a motor vehicle accident.[8] Males are significantly more likely than females to be both perpetrators and victims of violence, and, globally, it is estimated that almost twice as many men die as a result of injuries and violence than women.[9]
Family and Domestic Violence is detailed in the AMA Position Statement, Family and Domestic Violence - 2016, which explores the role of men as perpetrators, as well as the experience of male victims of FDV.
Australian men have a life expectancy of approximately four years less than their female counterparts, and have a higher mortality rate from most leading causes of death.[11] They have a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses, such as ischaemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and account for almost 60 per cent of the fatal burden of disease. Australian men also have an increased risk of obesity. Just over 70 per cent of Australian men are overweight or obese, while just over 56 per cent of Australian women are overweight or obese.[12]
Australian men are twice as likely as Australian women to exceed the lifetime risk guidelines for alcohol consumption, with approximately one in four men drinking at a rate that puts them at risk of alcohol-related disease. Males are also significantly more likely than females to consume more than four standard drinks in a single sitting, significantly increasing the risk of injury.[15]
Men typically have a functional view of their body and health, and consequently may ignore minor symptoms until they are severe enough to affect day-to-day tasks. This delay in help-seeking reduces the opportunity for early diagnosis and intervention, which can dramatically affect long-term prognosis for diseases, such as cancer and chronic illnesses. Some men feel reluctant to seek help when they are unsure about the severity of a problem, citing concerns such as embarrassment or not wanting to appear weak by unnecessarily seeking help.[16] Overcoming this perception is key to increasing male engagement with health services.
The underutilisation of health care services by men obviously has adverse health outcomes. Even when maternal health care visits are factored in, men are not seeking medical and mental health care or early interventions nearly as often as women. As already noted, there are practical and abstract barriers that affect the way in which Australian men interact with the health care system.
The role of fathers and the concept of fatherhood have changed considerably over recent decades, with many fathers now taking a more active role in the raising of their children. Both parents should be encouraged to actively participate in caring of their children. Supporting fathers to participate in the care of their children and teach healthy behaviours can be beneficial to the wellbeing of both the father and the child.
The percentage of single parent families in Australia is gradually increasing, and, similarly, the number of male single parents is on the rise.[22] Single fathers may be prone to feelings of isolation, as well as stigmatisation as a direct result of their family structure.
There is a significant comorbidity between mental and physical health outcomes. Approximately half of all Australian men will experience a mental illness over their lifetime, yet only a small portion will seek professional help. Men comprise over 75 per cent of all suicides in Australia, and intentional self-harm remains the leading cause of death for men under 54 years of age.[23]
Traditional notions of masculinity affect the way in which mental illnesses manifest in young men, and their ability to address emotional distress and seek help. Boys are often socialised to avoid showing vulnerability, which can increase stigma associated with seeking help for mental illness.[24] More research is needed to develop appropriate and accessible mental health services for young Australian men.
Mental health problems are particularly pronounced in young men, who access mental health services at a significantly lower rate than they experience mental ill-health. Compared to young women, young men experience higher rates of psychotic and alcohol and other drug disorders, but generally lower rates of mood disorders and anxiety.[25] There is a growing awareness of the way in which mental illnesses previously thought to primarily affect women, such as body image disorders, can manifest in men. Treatment services need to adapt to treat the increasing number of young men needing treatment for these disorders.
One in three Australian men will be diagnosed with cancer before their 75th birthday.[26] Despite being more likely to be diagnosed with bowel cancer, only 37 per cent of eligible Australian men participate in screening programs. For all cancers, males have a lower five-year survival rate than women.[27]
Factors that prevent men from engaging with screening initiatives stem from a combination of attitudinal barriers, and issues concerning the screening process. Screening processes for cancers such as prostate or bowel cancer are often seen as invasive and therefore unappealing. More needs to be done to raise awareness about the range of screening options available to patients, including less invasive tests.[28]
Different populations of Australian men experience different health outcomes. These regional, socio-economic, racial, ethnic, and cultural differences can compound health disparities. Indigenous men, men from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and men who live in regional and remote parts of Australia experience additional adverse health outcomes due to a combination of their vocation, lifestyle, physical and emotional isolation, and access to health services. These barriers contribute to a higher mortality rate than their counterparts, and lower levels of health literacy. Men in these areas require novel interventions to address these barriers to health.
[21] Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia. (2017) After Birth: Having a new baby can be both an exciting and challenging time for new mums and dads. Available at: -support/after-birth?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhcqB24Pb2AIVCyUrCh3qRgtKEAAYASAAEgIIifD_BwE
[29] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2017). Cancer compendium: information and trends by cancer type. Available at: -compendium-information-and-trends-by-cancer-type/report-contents/prostate-cancer-in-australia
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