Editorial: Do it for the folk who'd miss you

Why do men spend so little time and place such little emphasis on their health?

This week is Men's Health Week, a campaign to raise awareness of the crucial need for men to take better care of themselves.

Research shows men and doctors do not spend enough time together.

The issue of men going for regular check-ups has been highlighted as a major problem in this country, with men's avoidance of their GPs the target of the nationwide campaign.

The statistics say it all: men are more likely than women to die of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and suicide, yet are less likely to visit the doctor.

Ironically, Men's Health Week comes just a few days after a survey found that many believe "man flu" actually exists.

A survey of 922 Kiwis, married or in de facto relationships, found 76 per cent believe "man flu" - in which males suffer flu-like symptoms to a greater degree than women - may exist.

Yet despite the apparent "suffering" that comes with man flu, men still don't see their GPs.

This is an issue far larger and more important than man flu. Men are dying as a result of not being able to pinpoint deadly problems early enough.

The facts are clear:

On average every three hours one New Zealand man dies of a preventable illness, with death rates for Maori men double that of non-Maori.

Kiwi men live on average four years less than women, yet still remain much less likely to talk to a GP about their health.

Six out of 10 New Zealand males are overweight.

Nearly a quarter of New Zealand men smoke.

27 per cent of men have potentially hazardous drinking patterns.

And yet men, who should know better, are not taking the right action.

Mo-vember has done wonderful things in raising awareness among men of the dangers of prostate cancer. The campaign has been an unqualified success.

Now Men's Health Week organisers have taken the opportunity to launch a simple quiz for men to do called What's Your Score?

The quiz, published in yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times and online at menshealthweek.co.nz, has a series of simple questions that will assist men in assessing any health risks they may have.

A simple five-minute quiz may just save a life.

Ignorance and apathy can no longer be used as excuses by men.

Men play crucial roles in the lives of their families, in their workplaces, in their communities and a perceived "she'll be right" attitude could end in the tears of loved ones.

So, are regular visits to the GP worth it after all?