New National Male Health Strategy Announced
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has announced plans to develop a new National Male Health Policy to be launched in 2020.
Speaking during Men's Health Week (11th-17th June 2017), Mr Hunt said:
"In Australia, like most countries, males have poorer health outcomes on average than females. More males die at every stage of life. Males have more accidents, are more likely to take their own lives and are more prone to lifestyle-related chronic health conditions than women and girls at the same age. This is why I am announcing today, the beginning of a process to establish a National Male Health Strategy for the period 2020 to 2030."
According to Hunt, the new decade-long National Male Health Strategy will focus on the mental and physical health of men and boys and will build on the 2010 National Male Health Policy. The strategy will aim to identify what is required to improve male health outcomes and provide a framework for taking action. The strategy will be developed in consultation with key experts and stakeholders in male health and the public will be invited to have a say through online consultation later this year.
Mr Hunt said: "Australian men and boys are vital to the health and happiness of their families and communities, but need to pay more attention to their own mental and physical wellbeing. During Men’s Health Week, men are encouraged to talk about their health with someone they trust. I encourage all men to take time this week to think about their own health and wellbeing and participate in events happening across the country."
The Federal Government provides funding to a number of organisations that focus on the health of men and boys including Men’s Health Information Resource Centre at Western Sydney University, Andrology Australia and the Australian Men’s Health Forum.
The Government is also providing $5.1 million over three years to the Australian Men’s Shed Association to provide general support activities and resources to new and existing Men’s Sheds and to manage the National Shed Development Programme on behalf of the Australian Government.
The National Male Health Strategy builds on and complements the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020 to 2030 which was announced at the National Women's Health Summit in February.