Men’s health front and centre

MAKING MEN’S HEALTH A PRIORITY: Ngati Porou Hauora research assistant Cran Gage is passionate about encouraging men to get their health in check. He is part of the team who are hosting a free men’s health evening at Puhi Kaiti Community Health Centre this month. Picture by Paul Rickard

June is Men’s Health Month and Puhi Kaiti Community Health Centre is hosting a special evening to encourage men to get health checks.

A men’s health evening will be held at the Puhi Kaiti centre on Wednesday, June 26.

Cran Gage, research assistant for Ngati Porou Hauora, said the aim of the health evening was to educate and help men to feel comfortable about engaging with health services.

“Men have a high early mortality rate,” he said.

“This is about being pro-active, and trying to demystify things to do with health.

“Our health evening will be an education session with our (Puhi Kaiti) doctors and nurses here.

“We want to make it really simple, non-clinical and just speak plain English.

“We encourage men to come in and feel comfortable, because as men, we are the last to go to the doctor — particularly Maori and Pacific Island men.

“We want to get to our men before it gets to crisis point and too late.”

Free health checks for diabetes, prostate cancer and blood pressure will be available on the night.

“Among the big issues for men are diabetes, prostate and bowel cancer, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and depression and anxiety,” said Mr Gage.

“Heaps of guys have high blood pressure and don’t even know it, which can lead to a stroke, or a heart attack.

“And erectile dysfunction can lead to issues with their relationships.

“It’s about breaking down barriers, and overcoming ego.

“Some of us may look OK on the outside, but what about what’s going on internally?

“The key thing is about trying to get the message out there to men, to come in and have a check.”

The men’s health evening will be held from 5pm, with the aim of holding the clinics on a monthly basis.