Resources

Promotional Resources

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Research and Health Facts

The health of Australian men

Australian men have a lower life expectancy, are more likely to be overweight and experience higher rates of a range of chronic diseases in comparison to women.^[1,2] Despite the contributions that unhealthy lifestyle behaviours make to the burden of disease, approximately 50% of men are insufficiently physically active, 97% do not consume the recommended serves of vegetables, and 71% do not consume enough fruit. About 13% of men aged 18 years and over smoke daily, and 26% consume alcohol at levels that exceed the lifetime risk guidelines.^[1] In 2020, the leading causes of death for Australian men were coronary heart disease, dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) and lung cancer.^[3]

Death by suicide is more than three times as common in Australian men in comparison to women.^[2] Traditional masculine norms (e.g., stoicism, self-reliance, toughness) have stigmatized help-seeking behaviours,^[4,5] and further evidence suggests that service providers’ perceptions of masculinity may also hinder men’s willingness to engage with mental health support services.^[6] Likewise, men’s engagement with the healthcare system is often suboptimal and characterised by delayed access and shorter consultations.^[1]

Centre for Male Health

Our vision is to see better health outcomes for men and boys.

The Centre for Male Health is a new initiative at Western Sydney University, bringing together researchers into a single entity. The unified approach to men's and boy's health ensures that projects are more sustainable and linked to real health outcomes.

Our research is built on improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys, by capturing critical areas of research around health behaviours. Our research is impactful, so that it builds evidence that influences change.

1. _{Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020). Australia’s health snapshots. Australia’s health series no. 17 Cat. no. AUS 232. Canberra: AIHW.}
2. _{Department of Health (2019). National men’s health strategy 2020-2030. Department of Health, Canberra.}
3. _{Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Deaths in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 10 June 2022.}
4. _{Gough, B., & Novikova, I. (2020). Mental health, men and culture: how do sociocultural constructions of masculinities relate to men's mental health help-seeking behaviour in the WHO European Region?}
5. _{Addis ME, Mahalik J. Men, masculinity and the contexts of help seeking Am Psychol. 200358(1):5–14 doi: 10.1037/0003-066x.58.15.}
6. _{Courtenay WH. Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well‐being: a theory of gender and health. Soc Sci Med. 2000; 50(10): 1385‐ 1401}