Businesses and community come together to talk about men's health
Published on 09 June 2021
A special Singleton Business Chamber breakfast will serve up a greater awareness of men’s health as industry and community leaders come together to discuss health issues and the services available for men and boys on 17 June 2021.
Singleton Council is supporting the breakfast at Club Singleton as part of Men’s Health Week from 14-20 June, which aims to provoke thought and discussion to raise awareness and encourage early detection of health conditions in males.
The event will include a panel discussion featuring community and industry leaders, and a Community Connect expo with local service providers.
Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said it was a timely reminder to all men not to ignore their physical or mental health.
Men’s health facts show:
- men live 4.4 years less than women
- men are more likely to die from heart disease at earlier ages
- men are at a significantly higher risk of dying from liver disease
- 80% of spinal cord injuries occur in young men
- 70% of developmental and learning disabilities affect boys
- Men have an increased risk of dying from diabetes
“There’s a very strong stereotype that men tend to shrug off any aches or pains they might have and think ‘it’ll be right’ – but sometimes it’s not all right,” Cr Moore said.
“Men’s Health Week sends a message to men and women in our communities and across Australia to encourage men and boys to acknowledge when they don’t feel well and seek advice, treatment or help.
“And with suicide one of the top three reasons for reduced lifespan in men, that includes your mental health as well as your physical health.”
Singleton Business Chamber Vice President Danny Eather said the Men’s Health Week event was a great inclusion on the Chamber’s program.
“As a Chamber, it might be easy to assume we focus a lot on maintaining the health of our businesses and industries, but Men’s Health Week specifically targets the health and wellbeing of our local businesspeople,” he said.
“Men’s Health Week highlights that more males die at every stage through the life course, more males have accidents, more males take their own lives and more males suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than females at the same age.
“But the facts for both men and women are that we can’t perform our best for our businesses, our community, or our families when we don’t listen to what our bodies are telling us, and the first step is knowing where we can find help.”
The Men’s Health Breakfast and Community Connect will be held at Club Singleton on Thursday 17 June from 8am to 10am. Tickets cost $37.50 for Chamber members and $53.50 for non-members and includes a hot breakfast.
ENDS