The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

NZ men get sick or injured more and die sooner than women – a targeted health policy is long overdue

  • Written by Fiona Doolan-Noble, Co-Director Centre for Men's Health and Senior Research Fellow, Rural Health, University of Otago
NZ men get sick or injured more and die sooner than women – a targeted health policy is long overdue

Successive New Zealand governments have failed to develop a policy or strategy focused on men’s health, falling behind countries like Mongolia, Australia, Ireland, Iran, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil and the state of Quebec.

The consequences of this failure for New Zealand men are dire, with research showing men falling behind women in terms of access to health care, diagnoses and overall life expectancy.

The picture is even more bleak for Māori and Pacific men.

This week is Men’s Health Week[1] – a good time to consider how New Zealand men might be better served by a targeted health policy and how this might benefit the country as a whole.

Male inequalities in health

In New Zealand there are significant differences in poor health and life expectancy between men and women, between men of different ethnicities and those who are gender diverse.

Women outlive men by four years, and for men aged between 50 and 75 years[2] the death rate is 30% higher than for women. The life expectancy for Māori and Pacific men is between seven and five years less than other men.

Additionally, men are more likely to live with an illness or injury and, as a result, die prematurely[3].

Doctor checks pulse of man in hospital bed.
Men’s life expectancy in New Zealand is significantly lower than women’s. David Sacks/Getty Images[4]

These health inequalities were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic[5], with men contracting COVID at higher rates, experiencing more severe symptoms and being more likely to die.

In New Zealand, there is also a stark disparity[6] between male and female deaths by suicide. In 2018, 446 men died by suicide, compared to 177 women.

For men, this grim statistic is not just youth related – older men are also at high risk[7]. And men with disabilities report higher rates[8] of suicidal ideation than non-disabled men.

Read more: Sometimes it's hard to be a man[9]

Gender diverse research is in its infancy, but recent research shows trans men are more likely to report psychological distress[10] than trans women.

Biological sex differences alone, however, can’t explain men’s higher risk of premature death and poorer overall health status. These outcomes are irrefutably linked to cultural and socioeconomic factors.

What stops men going to the doctor?

Many men are reluctant to seek care and support from the health system, arguably because it is not structured around their needs.

Primary care services are generally only open at times men are at work, and the feminine atmosphere of many waiting areas[11] reinforces the perspective that health is women’s work.

Generally, men only think about their health if an issue prevents them from undertaking an important practical aspect of their lives – be that sport, playing with their children or doing their job.

Read more: Building healthy relationship skills supports men's mental health[12]

Consequently, they are unlikely to seek help unless their functional ability is affected.

Ultimately, this means men are seeking help[13] for health problems much later, resulting in higher levels of potentially preventable health issues, reduced treatment options and greater use of more expensive hospital services.

Sadly, men are also at higher risk of being fatally injured through their occupation. Between 2005-2014, 955 workers were fatally injured, of which 89% were men[14].

Unfortunately, the lifestyle choices of men, including smoking, poor diet, unsafe alcohol consumption and the abuse of other substances, frequently have negative consequences on their health and well-being. While these lifestyle behaviours can be linked to perceptions of what it means to be a man, these choices are by and large modifiable.

An effective men’s health policy would explicitly recognise that health promotion programmes need to be designed specifically for men.

Injured worker in high visible vest.
In New Zealand, almost 90% of work injuries happen to men. Monty Rakusen/Getty Images[15]

Where policy can help

Globally, there are a number of gender-specific health promoting programmes that have proved their usefulness in relation to men’s health.

The Rugby Fans in Training[16] healthy lifestyle programme, resulted in changes to men’s physical activity levels and diet, leading to weight loss.

The male-focused Farmers Have Hearts[17] cardiovascular health programme in Ireland resulted in improved outcomes for farmers, with over 80% successfully making some form of lifestyle behaviour change.

Research on the “Men’s Shed”[18] movement has shown its ability to foster a sense of community, nurture a sense of belonging and reduce the negative health impacts of loneliness.

While some successful initiatives and programmes that target men are currently established in New Zealand, a cohesive approach is lacking despite mounting national and international evidence that gender specific initiatives are effective.

Focusing on men’s health doesn’t have to come at the cost of women’s health initiatives and it is commendable the government has committed to a women’s health strategy as part of the Pae Ora (Health Futures) Bill.

However, men’s health musn’t be forgotten.

The government also needs to implement a men’s health policy that facilitates a cohesive, equitable approach, enabling men to enhance their lives, not only for their benefit but also the benefit of their families, communities and for society as a whole.

References

  1. ^ Men’s Health Week (www.menshealthweek.co.nz)
  2. ^ 50 and 75 years (journal.nzma.org.nz)
  3. ^ die prematurely (journal.nzma.org.nz)
  4. ^ David Sacks/Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com.au)
  5. ^ COVID-19 pandemic (www.tandfonline.com)
  6. ^ stark disparity (www.health.govt.nz)
  7. ^ high risk (www.nzdoctor.co.nz)
  8. ^ higher rates (academic.oup.com)
  9. ^ Sometimes it's hard to be a man (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ report psychological distress (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  11. ^ many waiting areas (www.researchgate.net)
  12. ^ Building healthy relationship skills supports men's mental health (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ seeking help (www.tandfonline.com)
  14. ^ 89% were men (injuryprevention.bmj.com)
  15. ^ Monty Rakusen/Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com.au)
  16. ^ Rugby Fans in Training (bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)
  17. ^ Farmers Have Hearts (www.teagasc.ie)
  18. ^ “Men’s Shed” (menssheds.ie)

Read more https://theconversation.com/nz-men-get-sick-or-injured-more-and-die-sooner-than-women-a-targeted-health-policy-is-long-overdue-184237

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...