Why we need National Male Health Policy
(Policies and Research)

Men's Health in Australia cannot move forward if the Federal and State Governments do not recognise the importance of a National Male Health Policy and State based Policy. Government Health Departments need Policy within their framework that provides structure based on a Strategic Framework to deal with health issues. Without a strategic Framework for Male Health, the Planning and Implementation of programs to address Male Health cannot be incorporated into existing health care frameworks.

The Federal Government has spent and should spend millions of dollars in the area of Men and Relationships funding as an initiative to address issues associated with the Family Law Court, Domestic Violence and Early Intervention for Child Abuse through the Department of Family Services. This funding is a short-term fix for a problem in men's health that equates to less than 10% of the male population.

The Early Intervention Funding allocated this year only addresses men already identified as at-risk, or already perpetrators of child abuse. The Department has failed to recognise the value of Early Intervention for all men, that can be achieved through Preventative Programs that support men to cope with new issues in their life. Parenting and a new relationship with their partner in the new family structure requires new skills and men in general are not given that chance in an acceptable and non-confronting way.

There is not enough known about Male Health, other than the Mortality and Morbidity figures. Projects around Australia that target male health have limitations on the amount of research and evaluation that can be conducted, mainly due to funding constraints.

The Federal Government urgently needs to fund a Longitudinal Study on Male Health similar to the Newcastle University Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. A National Male Health Policy is needed in order to set an agenda from such a Longitudinal Study. The Policy and Study would provide a Strategic Framework for male health and some direction for State Departments. National Male Health Policy will embrace All Australian Males, both indigenous, non- indigenous, young, middle-aged and older men. A National Male Health Policy will provide the rudder to guide the ship that carries the future of the health of all Australian males.