A men’s health day is being planned for Wollongong during Men’s Health Month in November and the call is going out to anyone who would like to be involved.
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Joshua Tree, of Better You Health Group, said it is really important to give men of all ages access to preventative health messages because male life expectancy is still lower than that for women.
The former West Devils rugby league player runs a successful health related business with a growing team of exercise physiologists and dietitians in the Illawarra and Sydney. But he also enjoys speaking freely at events in the community. In April he was invited to speak by The Fitness Show at the Education Hub in Sydney. That event is attended by more than 60,000 people.
But before the end of 2017 he is really keen to coordinate a men’s health day so men of all ages can come and get their health checked for free and hear information about improving their well-being.
“I want to do something around education about the conditions that affect men and education about what services are available. I also want the day to help more men be aware of warning signs. Particularly for the biggest killers.”
In younger men mental health is a big issue. And men of all ages could benefit from learning more and being encouraged to talk more about other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Mr Tree, 31, is aware of the need to make information more readily available from the growing number of community talks he does on subjects such as diabetes education. He regularly does that as part of an initiative called Real Men Move which educates men about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating to address challenges relating to men’s health. That can include lifestyle related cancers.
Mr Tree also works with Men’s Sheds in delivering physical activity programs. He uses his exercise physiology skills to help people manage all kinds of conditions and constantly seeks out new training opportunities for himself to develop more tailored approaches.
“In clinical practice I certainly see a lot of men who are referred to me who have let things manifest to a point where they are needing help,” he said.
Mr Tree is encouraging men to not only be aware of the warning signs but having more regular check ups and being willing to talk more to mates and family about their health. The free Wollongong Men’s Health Day will help them do that. With this being Men’s Health Week the Illawarra Mercury has come on board to help promote the day.
As a community service Mr Tree is regularly posting targeted information about men’s health at www.betteryouhealthgroup.com.