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Shadow Minister for Health Nicola Roxon today announced that a
Labor Government would develop a National Men's Health Policy. For
more information visit http://www.labor.com.au/media/1107/mshea050.php
or read the media statement below.
This appears to be a very positive step forward. The Australasian
Men's Health Forum calls on all political parties to develop men's
health policy which:
- Insists that all providers draw up plans to involve men and
boys
- Makes screening for men and boys' health problems part of
regular practice
- Calls on health services to make demonstrable efforts to
deliver male-friendly health services
- Respects the diversity of men and boys' health needs
- Provides funding for a National Men's Health study
Thanks to everyone who supported the Australasian Men's Health
Forum's recent email campaign for a national men's health policy. If
you haven't yet taken the time to let Tony Abbott and Nicola Roxon
know you want a men's health policy then visit Men's Health Australia
and follow the links www.menshealthaustralia.net
Prof. John Macdonald
President
Australasian Men's Health Forum
---
Federal Labor Announces National Men's Health Policy
Media Statement - 5th November 2007
Shadow Minister for Health Nicola Roxon today announced that a Rudd Labor Government would develop a National Men's Health Policy.
Australia's first - and to date, only - National Women's
Health Policy was launched under a previous Labor Government in 1989,
but a National Men's Health Policy is needed to deal with issues
affecting men's health.
Federal Labor acknowledges that too little attention has been
given to men's health needs. Some health issues - like prostate
cancer - affect only men while other health issues - such as
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and injuries - affect more men than
women.
Australian men have a lower life expectancy and greater levels of
serious morbidity than women. Many also tend to defer or ignore health
issues - as reflected in lower use of health services.
To accompany its recent commitment to a new National Women's Health Policy, a Rudd Labor Government will also develop a national policy on men's health. This will be done in consultation with State and Territory governments, health service providers, consumer and advocacy groups and Australian men.
The policy will be particularly focused on reducing barriers that men experience in accessing health services, tackling widespread reticence amongst men to seek treatment, improving male-friendly health services and raising awareness of the range of preventable health problems that disproportionately affect men and which result in generally poorer health outcomes for Australian men.
Labor's National Men's Health Policy will also address specific groups of men who experience higher morbidity and mortality rates, including Indigenous men and men living in rural and remote communities.
To accompany its recent commitment to a new National Women's Health Policy, a Rudd Labor Government will also develop a national policy on men's health. This will be done in consultation with State and Territory governments, health service providers, consumer and advocacy groups and Australian men.
The policy will be particularly focused on reducing barriers that men experience in accessing health services, tackling widespread reticence amongst men to seek treatment, improving male-friendly health services and raising awareness of the range of preventable health problems that disproportionately affect men and which result in generally poorer health outcomes for Australian men.
Labor's National Men's Health Policy will also address specific groups of men who experience higher morbidity and mortality rates, including Indigenous men and men living in rural and remote communities.
A range of Federal Labor's recent health initiatives will
particularly impact on men's health:
- Labor's $600 million elective surgery plan will slash waiting lists for hip, knee, and hernia procedures.
- Labor's $135 million National Cancer Plan includes $15 million to establish two dedicated Prostate Cancer Research Centres - the first in Australia. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian men and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in men. The centres will develop improved diagnostic and screening tools as well as new treatments for prostate cancer.
- A Rudd Labor Government will also invest $25 million over three years to screen all 50 year olds for bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Australian men, after prostate cancer.
- Labor's $220 million commitment to GP Super Clinics will bring health professionals - doctors, specialists, allied health - together in the one place, substantially improving the accessibility and convenience of health services for men and their families.
Labor's national policy on men's health will ensure that the
planning and delivery of health services better meets the needs of
Australian men.
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