Men’s Health Week 2024 – What Check-Ups Should You Get?

A key aspect of Men's Health Week is encouraging the men in our lives to keep track of their health via regular check-ups.

Consider getting the following check-ups done and sharing these links with friends and family, to ensure a healthy life and catch potential issues early.

Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke. Ongoing stress can cause hypertension which contributes to higher blood pressure.
• Use this map to find a pharmacy offering blood pressure level checks.
• Priceline offers the free Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test.

High Cholesterol

• High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease. Lower your cholesterol levels by reducing fatty foods, exercising regularly or quitting smoking.
• The cholesterol and lipid blood test is recommended every 5 years, starting from 45 years, or 35 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Testing every 12 months is recommended for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke or kidney disease.

Diabetes

• Checking blood sugar levels is important for detecting and managing diabetes, which can lead to various complications if untreated.
• Test fees are generally covered by Medicare. You can calculate your risk likelihood of Type 2 Diabetes here.

Mental Health

There are many resources now for men who are struggling with mental health or have difficulty controlling/expressing emotions such as anger or upset.

• Australian Men’s Shed Association and Mensline are always open to men who need to talk.?
• A mental health treatment plan made by your GP will allow you to claim 10 individual and ten group therapy sessions free with Medicare.
• If you’re in crisis and need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Colorectal Cancer

• Colonoscopies or other cancer screening methods can help detect polyps or cancer early.
• A test can now be completed from the privacy of home.

Eye Exams and Hearing Tests

• Most basic hearing or eye exams are free or bulk billed in Australia. Further testing is generally covered by Medicare.
• Wear earplugs at concerts/loud venues and avoid listening to personal music at full volume. Smartphones now have safe volume limit settings available.

Skin Check

• MoleMap offers comprehensive mole checks and has a risk questionnaire available.
• Use sunscreen daily (even on overcast days), wear hats and avoid sunbaking.

Immunisations

• Keep up with vaccinations such as the flu shot (free for over 65s), COVID-19 vaccines, pneumonia vaccine (free for over 70s), shingles vaccine (free for over 65s) and boosters for Diptheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough vaccines.
• Some medical conditions will permit you to receive certain vaccines for free.

Free Online Men’s Health talks this week:

• The Australian Men’s Health Forum invites men to join its free Men’s Health Check-Ins during Men’s Health Week.
• The series of online lunchtime talks focuses on key health topics: Moving More, Helping Mates, Sleeping Better, Getting Checked and Drinking Less.
• Each session starts at 12pm and runs for one hour, AEST.