Foreword
Ten years ago, the gender “male” was not considered in relation to issues of health. This was odd, as health data showed that males were the population group with the lowest health status in Australia, and the health of some subsections of men in Australia was as poor as that of men in Africa and Asia. Even with the evidence of lower health status, health expenditure on males is 30% less than for females in Australia.
Today we are seeing some changes. While male health is still not a priority area, there has been some growth in research and knowledge about men’s health, and some attempts to better provide health services that can reduce the excess illness and early death that many males experience. These improvements are fragmented, and are largely the result of efforts from concerned men and women, as there is still no national policy to co- ordinate efforts for male health. Government agencies on the whole avoid the tasks required to address male health issues, and often suggest that poor male health is the responsibility of “men behaving badly”, despite the evidence that men will use appropriate services when they are provided.
One important area to assist men is simply the availability of clear information about common male health issues. In the absence of attempts by health departments to provide such information, John Ashfield has filled the gap. This collection of brief articles offers accurate and practical information on many of the common physical and emotional problems that men will experience in their lives. It is a valuable volume for all – not just for men themselves, but for the families who care about them, and the professionals who work with them. It deserves to be on a bookshelf in every office, clinic and home in Australia, to further our understanding of the health risks for men and, more importantly, what to do about them.
Michael Woods
Senior Lecturer, and Co-Coordinator of the Men’s Health Resource and Information Centre, University of Western Sydney.