Federal election 2025: Labor vows $32m for men's health initiatives to reach ‘blokes who put off their health'
Labor will dedicate an extra $32 million into men's health initiatives if re-elected, focusing on grassroots organisations.
Funded programs include helping men who struggle with mental health and fatherhood, and those foregoing health support due to stereotypes.
From Men's Shed to Movember, Health Minister Mark Butler said 'too many blokes put off prioritising their health'.
Mr Butler highlighted Labor's $11.3 million pledge to Movember, saying it would provide men's healthcare training to more than 60,000 health care workers, based on the existing Men in Mind program.
'This investment by Labor into Movember's training will mean doctors and nurses have the right tools to support men,' he said.
A campaign will also be developed to encourage men to visit a doctor.
Movember statistics show around half of men believe avoiding health check-ups is normal.
Australian men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
And they are significantly less likely to seek mental health support.
The move comes after the shock suicide of WA farmer and father-of-three Craig Heggaton.
His widow last week called for politicians to 'stand up' and pay more attention to men's health after the renowned industry figure took his own life amid a battle with prostate cancer.
Movember executive officer Terry Chief welcomed the investment, saying Australian boys and men were 'slipping through the cracks' of the healthcare system.
'Without targeted support, too many are missing out on the care they need,' he said.
'This investment into primary care will help to equip GPs and clinicians with the tools to better engage and support men with their healthcare needs.'
Black Dog Institute will receive $2m to research men's mental health and suicide prevention at the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing.
'This funding will allow us to better understand why this is happening and, crucially, to develop new interventions that can get the best available help to men when and where they need it,' the Institute's Chief Scientist Professor Sam Harvey said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
20 minutes ago
- Perth Now
'Silent crisis': half of Aussie men delay health checks
Cost pressures drive Australian men to delay health checks and stretch their medication, with research revealing half postpone medical appointments. About one in 10 men have also reduced or skipped prescribed doses to make their medication last longer, according to findings released by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. The findings are a wake-up call on a silent crisis in men's health, the foundation's chief executive Anne Savage says. "These finds are a significant concern," she told AAP. "For too many men, cost is becoming a barrier to care, and that has real consequences. "Cost of living is really impacting the lives and the health of Australians." The research released ahead of Men's Health Week surveyed more than 1300 men nationwide, finding 51 per cent had delayed or avoided seeing a healthcare professional due to cost concerns. Meanwhile, 57 per cent of respondents admitted that healthcare is expensive, and 92 per cent believed the government should do more to reduce healthcare costs. The research also found the cost of private health insurance remains a significant barrier to accessing care for many. Ms Savage says it's vital to keep conversations about men's health going to raise awareness, improve understanding and encourage preventive action. She told AAP it's important for men to take proactive steps in managing their health, particularly when it comes to early detection and regular check-ups. "We know that when men suffer, their wives, partners and their children also suffer (along) with our community," she said. Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for one in three cancer diagnoses among men. While 96 per cent of respondents agreed prostate cancer was a major impact on men's quality of life, they noted stigma and high costs continue to create major hurdles in seeking help. "We need to normalise men seeking help, remove the financial barriers, and support early detection," Ms Savage said. "When men put off seeing a GP or stretch their medications just to get by, we increase the risks of delayed diagnosis of a range of serious illnesses and disease, including prostate cancer."
West Australian
6 hours ago
- West Australian
Qantas flight forced to make ‘dramatic' landing in Azerbaijan after medical emergency
A Qantas flight bound from London to Singapore has made a 'dramatic' diversion to Azerbaijan after a medical emergency, leaving Aussie passengers stuck overnight. The QF2 London to Singapore service was diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan and landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport between Russia and Iran after a medical emergency. Speaking to the ABC, Australian doctor and passenger Hamish Urquhart said the flight was diverted after a woman in her 60s suffered a cardiac episode. 'The lady was really quite unwell and needed intravenous access while we were trying to land, which was a bit challenging,' Dr Urquhart explained, adding he was required to stabilise the woman alongside other medical professionals on-board. He said the pilot had to make a 'dramatic 180-degree-turn' to make a safe landing at the airport in Baku. A Qantas spokesperson told NewsWire there was no emergency landing made. 'Our QF2 London to Singapore service diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan earlier today due to a medical incident on-board,' they said. 'We apologise to customers for the disruption and are working to get them on their way to Singapore as soon as possible.' The spokesperson told NewsWire the passengers en route to Singapore would be provided with accommodation and will board a new flight on Tuesday morning as operating crew had 'reached their duty limit'.
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
Qantas flight diverted to Azerbaijan
A Qantas flight bound from London to Singapore has made a 'dramatic' diversion to Azerbaijan after a medical emergency, leaving Aussie passengers stuck overnight. The QF2 London to Singapore service was diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan and landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport between Russia and Iran after a medical emergency. A Qantas flight to Singapore has been diverted after a medical emergency. NewsWire/David Geraghty Credit: Supplied Speaking to the ABC, Australian doctor and passenger Hamish Urquhart said the flight was diverted after a woman in her 60s suffered a cardiac episode. 'The lady was really quite unwell and needed intravenous access while we were trying to land, which was a bit challenging,' Dr Urquhart explained, adding he was required to stabilise the woman alongside other medical professionals on-board. He said the pilot had to make a 'dramatic 180-degree-turn' to make a safe landing at the airport in Baku. The pilot performed a 180-degree turn to land in Azerbaijan. FlightAware Credit: Supplied A Qantas spokesperson told NewsWire there was no emergency landing made. 'Our QF2 London to Singapore service diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan earlier today due to a medical incident on-board,' they said. 'We apologise to customers for the disruption and are working to get them on their way to Singapore as soon as possible.' The spokesperson told NewsWire the passengers en route to Singapore would be provided with accommodation and will board a new flight on Tuesday morning as operating crew had 'reached their duty limit'.
