Men and boys in Melbourne’s north are being asked to join a health study that aims to fill the knowledge gaps on male health.
Researchers are knocking on doors in Broadmeadows, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Craigieburn and Mickleham inviting males between 10 and 55 to sign up.
The Ten to Men study is being done by the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, part of the University of Melbourne.
Professor Dallas English said a better understanding of the health of Australian males was long overdue.
“We need to let go of the stereotype of the tough Aussie male and identify the real barriers to men achieving optimal health,” Professor English said.
He said public health statistics showed the health of Australian males was “on the sick list”. In many areas they were worse off than their female counterparts – they died, on average, five years younger, had more deaths from injury and suicide and were at greater risk of many cancers and chronic conditions.
The study will help form government health policy and program development to improve services and ensure they are more accessible to men and boys.
