Recent Developments Concerning Men's Health in Australia

Abstract

The term men's health has become part of mainstream health lexicon in Australia, yet in terms of policy and programs the field is still very much an emergent one. Despite obvious need (the high rates of male suicide illustrate this), there is no national men's health policy, little consensus on research priorities or an agenda, and minimal public funding. The Moving Forward in Men's Health Statement of the NSW Department of Health provides a landmark, a guiding framework for men's health for public agencies in the state. No other government presently has a specific men's health policy or funding program. Despite the release of an independent report in 1999 by the Federal Health Department, there is no broad agreement amongst stakeholders about a men's health research agenda. There is a pressing need to encourage discussion of what is health enhancing about men's and boys' lives in their various environments. The paper proposes a social population health approach, which adopts a salutogenic (life-enhancing) perspective, encouraging environments for men and boys that build good health.