Victorian men encouraged to rev-up health checks

Victorian men are being asked to take a ‘pit-stop’ at their local GP's clinic to mark the start of the Australian Grand Prix and the AFL footy season

To highlight the issue of men’s health, medical students working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), and former Essendon player and cancer survivor Adam Ramanauskas, today created a pit-stop for men at The Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable & Flower Markets in West Melbourne.

As part of the pit-stop, medical students in their final year of training at Melbourne University conducted a range of free health tests including cholesterol, blood pressure, waist and body mass index (BMI) measurements.

“Anecdotally, we know that men are more likely to take their car in for a service than visit their GP,” said Adam Ramanauskas. “Men will often delay seeing a doctor when they suspect a problem, but will rush their car to the mechanic as soon as they hear a strange noise.”

The RFDS is using the pit-stop to highlight the need for men to stay healthy by eating well and keeping themselves in good working order through regular check-ups.

“Through the pit-stop, we’re encouraging men to actively monitor their health and visit their GP once every 12-months for a general check up - similar to the way you might service your car,” said Chairman of RFDS Victoria, Peter Kronborg.

An initiative of the RFDS through WA Country Health, part of the Department of Health in Western Australia, and the market’s wholesale representative body Fresh State, the pit-stop at the Melbourne Markets is designed as a fun, easy and interactive way for men to have a quick, general and non-invasive health check.

Visitors are issued with a pass or fail rating, with those failing the tests advised to visit their GP for a more thorough health examination.

Mr Kronborg said men should have regular health checks to help detect and prevent early onsets of disease. “Your local GP can help you identify the essential tests for your age group.”

Fresh State CEO John Roach said that the Melbourne Markets are a perfect backdrop to reinforce a healthy lifestyle message for men. “There will be a lot of temptation for men to indulge over the Australian Grand Prix and the footy season.”

“The Melbourne Markets has thousands of tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer every single day. Eating fruit and vegetable is a great way to ensure you stay in good working order,” said John.

GSK Australia & New Zealand’s General Manager, Deborah Waterhouse, said, “We are proud to sponsor the pit-stop initiative to help remove some of the stigma associated with men ‘admitting a problem’ and to promote the importance of regular health check-ups.”