While this statistic has increased over the past 10 years, it does not reflect rural or Aboriginal men; and blokes still die up to 4.5 years earlier than women on average, and can expect up to five years of chronic ill health in that time, which diminishes their quality of life. 

Men are also over-represented in the mental health services and take more mental health medications, and they attend health services 40 per cent less than women.

These are just some of the statistics about men, according to men’s health expert Dr Stephen Carroll, who gave a humorous and enlightening talk to a large crowd of mostly men at Goulburn Mulwaree Library on June 27. 

“We drink and drug ourselves more than women. We live less, we go mad more, we go to prison more and we refuse to see anyone who could actually help us. I’m surprised we are still here at all,” Dr Carroll said. 

“We are 300 per cent more likely to suicide than women, and men partake in more high risk activities. Men have less social support and do not do well in isolation. We get sicker quicker and die younger if we live alone.” 

So what can be done to improve the health of 50 per cent of the population? 

With cardiovascular disease still the highest killer of men (including strokes, heart attack and high blood pressure), Dr Carroll recommended that men cut down on eating fat and eat more fibre-based diets as well as increasing exercise, taking fish oil and cutting down on alcohol. 

“Fish oil is the best thing for men. It contains anti-inflammatory material and is good for joints and eyesight. The therapeutic dose is 9g a day, or eat a small can of salmon or tuna or sardines a day,” he said.

“With exercise, it needs to be 40 minutes a day, seven days a week, and you need to be puffing. That said, a brisk walk is fine.”  

To help combat mental health issues for men, Dr Carroll pointed out symptoms of depression. He emphasised the importance of social connection for men, to keep them from becoming depressed.  

“Men need to feel valued in their community. If they don’t, other things start to fall apart,” he said.