We all know about the gaps that exist in health outcomes for different groups in our community. The intolerable gap between health outcomes for indigenous versus non-indigenous Australians has received significant and appropriate attention in recent years, and we also recognise that social disadvantage corresponds with poorer health.

Less well known is the ‘gender gap’ in health outcomes, with male life expectancy being significantly lower than that for women, and poorer outcomes for men in most health measures. A popular theory when I was in medical school was that men were genetically ‘programmed’ to wear out before their sisters due to the inherently defective nature of the Y chromosome that defines their gender. This ‘programmed to fail’ theory has now been debunked, with acknowledgement that the gender gap in health outcomes is largely an effect of social factors. These social factors include a failure to socialise men into preventive health paradigms from an early age, negative media messages about men (and in particular young men), poor access to gender appropriate health services and the cost of those services.

Men’s Health Week provides an opportunity to consider options for closing the gender gap in health outcomes. We know that preventive health activities and early intervention should a disease arise are far more effective than waiting until someone develops physical or functional manifestations of the disease.

For the younger men on campus there are clear evidence-based guidelines as to what you can do to lower your risk of health problems. At a stage of life when disease is uncommon, these guidelines focus on lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, alcohol and physical activity, but there are nonetheless important specific messages for young guys, including the value of sexual and mental health checks as well as testicular self-examination, since this is the age group when testicular cancer can present.

For those who like me are more at risk due to our age, an annual check is recommended to monitor parameters that can be associated with preventable and treatable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and a number of cancers.

If you have a car, do you get it serviced regularly? Or do you wait until something breaks before you take it to the mechanic? Your body is your most valuable possession. Treat it with the care it deserves, and it shouldn’t let you down.

The Macquarie University GP Clinic is available to Macquarie University students, staff and the general public. To make an appointment, call 9812 3944.