International Men’s Day

International Men’s Day is celebrated globally on November 19 each year, a day dedicated to recognizing the positive contributions and achievements of men to the community. While it’s a day to celebrate, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges men face and the issues that impact their lives. One area that often goes under the radar is men’s health. This year, on International Men’s Day, it’s crucial to shine a spotlight on the pressing health issues that affect men—especially in Australia, where statistics reveal concerning trends related to physical health, mental health, and lifestyle choices.

In Australia, men face a range of health challenges that can significantly impact their quality of life, longevity, and overall well-being. For instance, men are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and they have a lower life expectancy compared to women. Men are also less likely to seek help for mental health issues compared to women, leading to an increase in suicide rates among Australian men. Encouraging the men in our lives to be proactive about their health is more important than ever. Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for improving men’s health. Not only does it improve fitness, strength, and protection against chronic disease, but it also significantly reduces stress and manages mental health.

Starting or maintaining regular exercise can be difficult, especially for men who may feel isolated or unsure how to get started. That’s where ActiveStrongerBetter can help. ActiveStrongerBetter (ASB) programs are led by trained and accredited fitness leaders who prioritise safety, promote fun, and encourage participants to start slowly and work at their own pace. ASB classes include a variety of challenge levels and types depending on the class ASB leader’s expertise, such as aerobics, strength, balance, stretch, dance, aqua, Tai Chi and yoga. This means that you can try a range of class types to find one that you enjoy. Designed to be inclusive of people with health conditions, seniors, and people who are new or returning to exercise, ActiveStrongerBetter offers low to moderate programs and a holistic approach to fitness and wellness, helping men become more active, stronger, and better versions of themselves. On this International Men’s Day, help break down the stigma around men’s health issues and encourage men to seek the support and resources they need to live healthier, fitter and fuller lives.

Men’s Health in Australia

Statistics on men’s health in Australia highlight the concerning health challenges men face and the need for greater attention to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Despite the advancements in healthcare, men in Australia still experience poorer health outcomes in comparison to women which is largely due to the higher prevalence of preventable health conditions and underreporting of health concerns by men.

Current statistics on Men’s Health in Australia:

Australian men have a life expectancy almost 4 years lower than that of Australian women
Cardiovascular disease, dementia, and COVID-19 were the leading causes of death for Australian men in 2022.
Men account for approximately 75% of all suicides in Australia.
Only 27% of Australian men maintain the recommended physical activity levels and less than 1 in 30 men eat enough fruit and vegetables
In 2022 71% of Australian men were living with overweight or obesity

These statistics about men’s health and lifestyle show there is a growing need to address the challenges men are facing and a recognition that many of these health issues and challenges men face could be prevented with better lifestyle choices and earlier intervention.

Preventative health is crucial to addressing the root causes of illness before they become more severe or life-threatening. This includes encouraging regular check-ups, promoting healthier diets, reducing smoking and alcohol use, and increasing physical activity levels.

Men’s Mental Health

A significant area of focus should be mental wellness. Mental health is often overlooked in discussions about men’s health, yet it is one of the most pressing issues facing men today. In Australia, men are less likely than women to access mental health services, with societal norms and expectations often discouraging men from seeking help. As a result, mental health conditions can go untreated, leading to greater risks of suicide, substance abuse, and poor overall health. The stigma around mental health often means men suffer in silence, making it even harder to break the cycle of poor mental health.

However, this stigma is beginning to shift with increasing awareness campaigns around mental health and the growing number of initiatives aimed at encouraging men to talk about their feelings and seek support. Efforts to break this stigma must continue so that men feel empowered to take care of their mental and emotional health in the same way they would their physical health.

Focusing on preventative health and improving mental wellness we have a real opportunity to address the challenges faced by Australian men and help build a future in Australia where men live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Encouraging men to make better lifestyle choices—especially through regular exercise—is one of the most effective ways to reduce these risks and empower men to take control of their health.

The Role of Exercise in Men’s Health

Regular physical activity is one of the most effective and accessible ways for men to enhance both their physical and mental health. From boosting cardiovascular function to alleviating stress and improving sleep, exercise plays a central role in improving overall well-being and preventing a range of chronic health conditions. It’s also a key tool for managing mental health, which we have previously outlined, as an important issue for men.

In Australia, where many men face barriers to maintaining active lifestyles, programs like ActiveStrongerBetter offer a solution that encourages men to take charge of their fitness and make lasting improvements in both their physical and mental health. By creating a supportive community and focusing on sustainable exercise routines, ActiveStrongerBetter makes it easier for men to reap the numerous benefits of physical activity, including:

Improved cardiovascular health, lowered blood pressure, and improved circulation
Reduces risk of developing many chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension
Strengthens and improves bone and muscle health
Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and provides a healthy coping mechanism to manage mental health
Can improve cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain

Through programs like ActiveStrongerBetter, men can access a supportive community, providing the motivation and structure they need to stay consistent with exercise and improve their mental well-being. Men not only get the physical benefits of exercise but also the emotional and social rewards of being part of a community that cares about their well-being. Whether it’s through group workouts, social events, or simply the camaraderie formed in fitness classes, ActiveStrongerBetter creates a positive and inclusive environment that fosters a sense of belonging, combats isolation and creates connections.

Collaborations

In an effort to promote men’s physical health in Australia and encourage participation in regular exercise such as the ASB program, last year we collaborated with Australian Men’s Shed Association to create exercise activity sheets and a short video (see here). These are great resources to provide an insight and some information on regular movements men, or anyone, can do and highlight Men’s Sheds which are great spaces for men to come together to socialise and share common interests.

ActiveStrongerBetter Program – A Path to Better Health for Men

The ActiveStrongerBetter mission is to promote and increase access and availability to safe and fun exercise for older adults. The program aims to improve both the physical and mental health of older adults, including cognitive wellbeing and social contentedness, through the development of communities centered around the weekly exercise class.

The program is a safe and fun way for seniors to keep fit, build strength, flexibility, and confidence, and improve physical and mental health in older adults. Classes are offered face-to-face at community venues in the Newcastle/Hunter region of NSW – to find a class near you visit class locations.

Although we have a large female participant group, we have a good and growing number of men joining the programs and we believe it is super important to push and encourage men to get involved and lead more active and healthier lifestyles to promote longer, healthier, and happier lives. If you are a man looking for low to moderate classes to start or continue your health and wellness journey then join an ActiveStrongerBetter program near you.