7 Health Checks That Could Save Your Life

Men in Australia die five years earlier than women, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Across Central and Eastern Sydney, from Bondi to Strathfield and south to Waterfall, preventable health conditions are stealing years from men’s lives while families watch helplessly from the sidelines.

As primary care professionals and community advocates, you see this reality daily. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to change these statistics through early intervention and preventative care.

The Reality in Our Region

The latest CESPHN Needs Assessment reveals confronting truths about men’s health in our communities:

• Heart disease kills more men than any other condition, affecting 1 in 4 men over 45
• Type 2 diabetes has surged 23% among men aged 35-64 in just five years
• Bowel cancer screening participation sits at just 37%—well below the national average (40.9%).
  

Here’s the wake-up call: In 2021-22, there were 16,418 mental health-related emergency department presentations in our CESPHN region alone—a significant portion involving men who reached crisis point when early intervention could have changed everything.

Male suicide rates remain four times higher than women’s rates, with the highest rates now occurring among men aged over 65, particularly those 85 and older. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, the challenges are even starker, with psychological distress levels at 11%—double that of the non-Aboriginal population in our region. On top of this, housing stress, unemployment, and social isolation create a perfect storm for declining health.

Essential Health Checks: Your Clinical Toolkit

These seven checks represent evidence-based opportunities for early intervention and prevention among men:

1. Blood Pressure Screening — Hypertension affects 1 in 3 men, yet early detection and treatment reduces cardiovascular events by 15-25%. Annual screening enables timely intervention before complications develop.

2. Lipid Profile Assessment — Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of male mortality. Lipid screening from age 40 identifies high-risk patients early, with statin therapy reducing major cardiac events by 30% in appropriate candidates.

3. Bowel Cancer Screening — Participation in biennial FIT screening reduces colorectal cancer mortality by 32%. With only 37% uptake in our region, patient education about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program represents a significant prevention opportunity.

4. Diabetes Screening — Type 2 diabetes prevalence has increased 23% among men aged 35-64 in the CESPHN region. Early detection through HbA1c testing enables opportunities to implement lifestyle interventions that can prevent or delay diabetes onset by up to 58%.

5. Mental Health Assessment — Depression screening using validated tools including the K-10+, K-5 and functional assessment measures such as SOFAS improves detection rates by 40%. CESPHN promotes the use of Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Decision Support Tool (DST) to help GPs streamline mental health assessment and referral processes. Early intervention reduces the risk of suicide and prevents progression to severe mental illness requiring emergency care.

6. Prostate Health Discussion — Prostate cancer affects 1 in 6 Australian men. In CESPHN, prostate cancer represents the most common cancer among men, accounting for 28.5% of all male cancer cases during 2017-2021. Informed discussions about screening enable shared decision-making and early detection when treatment is most effective.

7. Skin and Lung Health Checks — Australia has the highest melanoma rates globally. Regular skin surveillance and smoking cessation programs significantly reduce cancer mortality in high-risk populations.

Primary Health Care Network Support

Primary Health Care offers comprehensive support for your male patients through:

• Mental Health Hubs providing specialised counselling and crisis intervention services
• Aboriginal Medical Services delivering culturally safe, community-controlled healthcare
• Allied Health Support including physiotherapy, dietetics, and psychology services
• After-Hours Care ensuring continuity when practices are closed
• Interpreter Services removing language barriers to healthcare access
  

Supporting Your Practice and Community

As healthcare providers and community advocates, you play a critical role in changing these outcomes:

Clinical Actions:

• Implement systematic screening protocols for men’s health
• Use motivational interviewing techniques to engage reluctant male patients
• Leverage shared decision-making tools for screening discussions

Community Engagement:

• Partner with local organisations to reach men in non-clinical settings
• Develop targeted health promotion materials for diverse communities
• Create male-friendly practice environments that encourage help-seeking

Professional Development:

• Stay updated on men’s health guidelines and screening recommendations
• Access CESPHN clinical pathways and decision support tools
• Participate in multidisciplinary care planning for complex patients
  

Your patients’ health outcomes depend on proactive, evidence-based care. These seven checks aren’t optional extras—they’re fundamental components of comprehensive men’s health care.

Find CESPHN clinical resources at cesphn.org.au

For mental health crisis support, refer patients to Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.