Men’s health concerns include erectile dysfunction, heart disease, prostate problems, diabetes, obesity and more.

Foundation 49: Men’s Health is a direct response to this health crisis affecting 49% of the population – and is dedicated to improving the health status of all men. Our vision is ‘to improve the health of men through raising health awareness and encouraging regular check-ups‘.

We are supported by a group of men’s health experts, including medical specialists and community health workers. Foundation 49: Men’s Health is an initiative of Cabrini and is funded solely through donations, fundraising activities and philanthropic grants.

So guys, remember to:

• Find a GP you are happy with
• Have an annual check up with your GP
• Know your body and what is normal for you
• Promptly check out any changes in your body with your GP
• Know the health risks for your age group, and what to do to reduce them

So why not have a go at the online men’s health check ? And have a look at our latest newsletter. We know you’ll find all sorts of interesting and useful information to help you stay healthy and well.

And Live long, Live well, Enjoy your health!

The purpose of this website is to assist men of all ages, plus those who care for them, make more informed decisions about their own health. All information provided on this website is checked by Foundation 49: Men’s Health medical advisors. Foundation 49: Men’s Health does not host or receive funding from advertising.

Also, please note that the information on this website is designed to support and not replace the important relationship between you and your doctor. For medical advice please make an appointment and speak to your GP. If you do not have a GP go to www.healthengine.com.au to find one in your area.

Health Information

The information and services on this website assist men, their families and their doctors in four key areas of illness:

1. Cancer
2. Heart
3. Mental Health
4. Sexual Health

Inside these four sections you will find information on your risk of contracting a number of illnesses that are common in men. The Heart section has information on cholesterol and high blood pressure, for example, while the Mental Health section covers depression and anxiety, among other topics.

The information covers areas such as the incidence and causes of particular illnesses and diseases, plus what you can do to change your lifestyle that will reduce your risk of these illnesses.

It also includes the checks and screens that might be relevant for you if your doctor believes you are at risk of an illness, or if it is time for a routine check-up.

Checks such as the PSA test for prostate cancer and blood tests for measuring your cholesterol level are introduced and summarised to help men better understand their value and whether or not they should see their doctor for more information.

Encyclopaedia

The encyclopedia linked to from this website is provided by an independent organization and is, in fact, an online medical dictionary containing over 46,000 definitions for terms and names used in medicine and medical science.

Created by the University of Newcastle in the UK, it is called CancerWeb, although it covers a range of illnesses and treatments, not just those relating to cancer. From aspirin to Zoloft, or arthritis to zinc deficiency, the encyclopaedia represents a valuable reference to support your growing knowledge of your own health.

Lifestyle

The Lifestyle section of this website contains articles on smoking and alcohol consumption and their impact on health. It also contains information on food and physical activity; not only how dietary and exercise habits can put your health at risk, but also about healthful eating and activity to help you maintain wellbeing and reduce your risk of illness.

The information is designed to help all men play a more active role in their own health. While your doctor remains the most valuable resource in relation to your ongoing health and wellbeing, Foundation 49: Men’s Health aims to form a partnership with all men and their doctors, with the aim of raising awareness and ensuring a better health outcome for all Australian men.

Or download the latest magazine here.

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The organisers have great pleasure in inviting you to attend this comprehensive Symposium. The sessions will provide General Practitioners with information they are likely to need in their dealings with male patients and the broad range of men’s health issues.

Foundation 49 Men’s Health Symposium 2012 Registration Form

Foundation 49 Men’s Health Symposium 2012 Registration Form

Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners

This activity has been approved by the RACGP QI&CPD Program
Total 40 Category 1 points
Activity number: 759146

Foundation 49 Men’s Health Symposium 2012 Information for GPs

Foundation 49 Men’s Health Symposium 2012, Predisposing Activity

Getting There

More Information

Physical fitness actually refers to the capability of the heart, lungs, circulation and muscles to perform at maximum efficiency so we can enjoy the best possible health and wellness. Physical fitness enables a lifestyle people who are unfit cannot enjoy.

• Fitness building blocks
• Other contributors to overall fitness
• How can we achieve physical fitness?

Fitness building blocks

The basic four components of physical fitness are:

• Cardiorespiratory endurance
  The ability of the heart, lungs, and circulation to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and remove waste products over an extended period of time. Long distance running, cycling or swimming are often used to measure cardiorespiratory endurance.
• Strength
  The ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert force for a brief period of time. Different weight lifting exercises can measure upper and lower body strength.
• Muscular endurance
  The ability of a muscle or muscle group to sustain force for an extended period of time. For example, performing as many push ups as possible is a way to measure muscular endurance.
• Flexibility
  The ability to move joints and use muscles through their full range of motion. The sit-and-reach test is an example of how to measure flexibility in the hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh.

Other contributors to overall fitness

Other components of physical fitness include:

• Motor skills
  Agility, coordination, speed, balance, and reaction time are all considered important factors that help achieve optimal fitness and there are established ways to test and improve each of these different components.
• Body composition
  This is often considered as an indicator of fitness and refers to the ratio of lean muscle mass to body fat mass. Lowering body fat is widely recommended as a major goal of most exercise programs in order to improve overall fitness.

How can we achieve physical fitness?

A training program designed to improve physical fitness must therefore take each of the different building blocks into consideration. Understanding and improving each component of physical fitness will promote health and maximise our enjoyment of life.

• Improving cardiorespiratory endurance comes from incorporating aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, running, cycling or swimming into a program. It is generally recommended that at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity be performed on most days.
• Muscle strength and endurance are best developed by ‘resistance’ training, usually involving weights. For the best possible benefits, this type of exercise should be performed two to three times a week in order to maintain as well as build muscle size and strength.
• Improved flexibility comes from regularly performing stretching exercises that improve the range of motion.

Guidelines on exercise vary significantly, depending on the authority that’s making them. Many advocate for 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity (e.g. walking) on most days of the week. Others disagree, saying that it should be more like 60 minutes per day or longer.

So where do we start?

• Health benefits
• Getting and staying healthy
• Everyday activities

Health benefits

Clearly we need to encourage people to exercise, so appropriate guidelines are needed. On the other hand, we don’t want to set the bar too high because this might discourage some from even starting a physical activity program.

The recommendation for ’30 minutes per day’ of moderate activity is a good start because there are many health benefits from doing this amount of physical activity. These include reducing your risk for:

• heart disease
• stroke
• diabetes
• certain cancers, and
• high blood pressure (hypertension).

Studies examining the relationship between body weight, physical activity and mortality have found that being inactive can actually be more life-threatening than being overweight or obese.

Other health benefits may come from the fact that regular moderate physical activity appears to stimulate the immune system, improve insulin sensitivity and increase bone density, as well as other positive effects. These health benefits should send a strong message that everyone should strive to be active in some way.

Getting and staying healthy

For most of us, staying healthy is our number one priority. That means if we make a commitment to engage in 30 minutes of activity on most days (and remember that can be broken into three 10-minute sessions or two 15-minute sessions if you can’t manage 30 minutes straight), then we should be well on the way to better health and a lowered risk for certain diseases.

That doesn’t mean that doing more exercise is harmful. Far from it! Doing more exercise can have additional benefits, especially if weight loss is a goal. This is because to lose weight we need to ‘burn’ more kilojoules. To do this we can increase the intensity of the exercise by walking faster or walking for longer, or both.

The important thing is to be realistic about your goals and expectations. Most of us exercise because we know that it will have a positive impact on our lives – we’re not training for the Olympics! That means if we miss a day of exercise here and there, it really doesn’t matter. Be realistic and flexible in your approach to exercise and it won’t be a chore, it will just become a part of your lifestyle.

Everyday activities

Embrace every opportunity to become more active. Take the stairs instead of riding in a lift. Walk instead of driving, especially if you’re only going to buy milk from the corner shops. Encourage others to exercise with you – the entire family will benefit.

The take home message is simple – when it comes to activity and good health, every little bit helps.

If there is a treatable cause, like hormone deficiency or infection, then fertility may be improved by treating these.

In most men with a low count and poor quality sperm, there is no specific treatment. Couples often choose Assisted Reproductive Technology (IVF and ICSI) to achieve fertilisation. In men with no sperm, use of donor semen is available.

Where to get help

• your doctor
• fertility clinic
• family planning clinic
• public hospital.

Where couples appear normal, fertility problems are not investigated until they have tried to conceive, and failed, for about one year.

There are many reasons why men may find it difficult to keep a track of their health. It might be the lack of time to visit the GP, not wanting to spend time in the waiting room, and not knowing where to start to actually find a good GP!

View the Press Release January 2011.

But it is worth the effort, and not just because you are important (which you are) but also for the sake of your family, your friends and work mates.

Men who eat well, exercise regularly, keep track of their health and get prompt treatment for health problems have a better chance of a healthy and long life than men who don’t. Health screenings can catch problems early enough to effectively treat them.

Your life span is affected by genetics (25%)
and modifiable risk factors (75%).

It can be a challenge as you steer through the decades of life, but remember, the basic health message is the same for all men – eat well, don’t smoke, go easy on the grog and keep fit – but as you get older your body and your risks change. Stay on course by following our Decades of Life road map to health.

Give yourself the best chance by investing in your health – it’s your most important asset.

By making some lifestyle changes, you can reduce your chances of dying prematurely and have a healthier and more enjoyable life for yourself, your family and your friends.

A few answers to questions you are sure to have…

If it ain’t broke…

You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to see a doctor. Stay on top of your game by having an annual general health check. Early detection of disease provides the best chance for catching things early and preventing complications and side effects.

What are you scared of?

Studies have shown men don’t get regular health checks because they:

• are scared it will lead to a hospital visit
• are embarrassed to discuss their health issues
• find it too hard to get to see a GP because of limited opening hours
• just can’t be bothered making an appointment

If it’s worse tomorrow I’ll go

Some men don’t want to bother a doctor with trivial or potentially embarrassing problems so they just keep putting it off. Don’t bury your head in the sand delaying treatment or ignoring symptoms can allow serious and preventable conditions to develop.

Dr Who?

If you don t have a GP, ask a friend about their doctor or find one at www.healthengine.com.au