If you don’t put your health first, you’re not alone, but we’re here to help.
Research shows men face unique challenges when it comes to engaging with healthcare services. While many men seek help eventually, they may be less proactive about discussing their health issues unless specifically prompted.
Breaking down these barriers in men’s health is the focus of exciting new research by Dr Sam Tafari, proudly funded by The Hospital Research Foundation Group, with additional support from the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing (FMCHW) and South Australian Premiers Fund.
“We know men who are concerned about their health will seek help, eventually. However, men also do not necessarily volunteer information unless they are asked,” Dr Tafari said, who is affiliated with the Royal Adelaide Hospital Endocrine Unit, University of Adelaide and FMCHW at SAHMRI
“Even if they have a specific health problem, they may self-monitor it to see if it gets better or gets worse to the point where it affects their ability to function.”
Dr Tafari aims to develop a men’s health questionnaire for health professionals to see if it breaks down barriers for men and drives improvement in the ordering of tests and even treatments to create meaningful change.
“We want to introduce this questionnaire to the community to facilitate early detection of diseases and risk factors, ensure prompt management, and reduce morbidity and mortality rates,” Dr Tafari said.
In Australia, men live around five years less than women and much of this is due to a difference in preventable conditions such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases.
“Men are more likely to monitor a problem they have and present to their general practitioner later and have worse outcomes,” Dr Tafari said.
“Much of this is driven by lower health literacy and differences in the way men communicate.
“This means doctors need different tools, particularly in the busy general practice environment where it might be impractical to ask a long list of questions, to quickly identify problems that a male patient may not necessarily volunteer and remedy them.”
Dr Tafari’s hope is for males to be seen and heard the right way to ensure their medical issues are being dealt with efficiently and in a timely manner.
“Our hope is prompt management and to close the gap of the morbidity and mortality outcomes between men and women.”
Professor Gary Wittert.
Dr Tafari’s PhD is part of a bigger men’s health project led by Professor Gary Wittert from the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Help fund life-changing research like Dr Tafari's! Host a BBQ and Fire Up for Men's Health this September: REGISTER NOW
