Men’s Health

Australian men are more likely than Australian women to get sick from serious health problems. Their mortality rate is also much higher. Men die in greater numbers than women from almost every non-sex-specific health problem. Overall, for every two women who die, three men die. In deaths due to accidents or drowning, boys account for two out of three deaths. Male deaths outnumber female deaths in every age group apart from the over-65 years, and only because so many men die before reaching retirement. Compared to women, men visit the doctor less frequently, have shorter visits and only attend when their illness is in its later stages. 

High-risk groups

Australia ranks high in life expectancy rates. Only three other countries – Iceland, Japan and Hong Kong – have higher life expectancy rates for men. However, Australian men don’t live as long as Australian women. On average, Australian men can expect to live 79 years, compared to women who can expect to live 84 years. 

 Top 10 causes of premature death in men

According to data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2016, the leading causes of death for Australian men include, in order from first to last:

  • Ischaemic heart disease

  • Trachea and lung cancer

  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

  • Cerebrovascular diseases

  • Chronic lower respiratory diseases

  • Prostate cancer

  • Colon and rectum cancer

  • Diabetes

  • Blood and lymph cancer, including leukaemia

  • Suicide

Some deaths are more likely for men than women

  • Men outnumber women in many causes of non-sex-related deaths. For example:

  • Suicide – 75 per cent of deaths are male

  • Trachea and lung cancers – 60 per cent of deaths are male

  • Blood and lymph cancers (including leukaemia) – 58 per cent of deaths are male

  • Ischaemic heart disease – 57 per cent of deaths are male

  • Colon and rectum cancers – 55 per cent of deaths are male.

A range of theories

  • It is clear that women are healthier than men, but why? Some of the theories that attempt to explain the health differences between the sexes include:

  • In Australia, more money is spent on the healthcare needs of women and children than is spent on the healthcare needs of men. The healthcare system reflects this bias. For example, the waiting room of most medical clinics has women’s magazines and children’s toys. This subtly suggests that men aren’t as welcome.

  • Men are more likely than are women to work full-time. Office hours for most medical clinics coincide with typical work hours, so men in full-time employment find it difficult to make an appointment. (Of course, this is also true for women who work full-time.)

  • Men, particularly older men, typically prefer to see a male doctor for intimate or embarrassing issues. However, the family doctor may be female.

  • Men are traditionally encouraged to do the high-risk jobs that are stressful, dangerous and deadly such as mining, logging and construction.

  • Men are encouraged by our culture to be tough and independent. Some men could believe that visiting doctors or complaining of feeling ill are threats to their masculinity.

Male depression

  • One out of every six Australian men suffers from depression at any given time.

  • Statistics include:

  • Teenagers and the elderly are particularly at risk.

  • Male depression is associated with an increased risk of health disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

  • Men are likely to resort to destructive behaviours in an attempt to deal with depression.

  • Depressed men are twice as likely as depressed women to abuse alcohol and drugs. Men often try to manage their symptoms of depression by using alcohol and other drugs, which make the symptoms worse.

  • Depression is a known high-risk factor for suicide. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, men of all ages suicide at a higher rate than women.

Beyond these highly concerning men’s health related issues, there are more routine health matters that effect men’s wellbeing that can be dealt with by their family doctor to improve quality of life and reduce cumulative risks of future complications, some of these include:

Erectile dysfunction

Many men have erectile dysfunction or impotence which can be a result of a systemic illness, a local physiological issue or a mental health concern.

Male-pattern baldness       

Whilst many men don’t want to address a superficial concern, male-pattern baldness can cause anxiety and your GP can address your concerns and provide your with options.

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

Managing the risks and spread of STIs is common to both men and women, but women tend to engage healthcare services regarding these matters more frequently than men for a variety of reasons. It is strongly encouraged that men are routinely checked for infections particularly if in engaging in unprotected sex or with multiple partners.

Fear of finding out

Men tend to avoid any being diagnosed with problems due to an inherent fear of finding out and also the perception that any diagnosis may become a source of future anxiety and interrupt their working lives. Whilst it makes sense to get on top of medical problems quickly rather than be in denial it is not always the obvious pathway that men take. Your GP is there to make your healthcare as simple and straightforward as possible.