MATTERS OF INTEREST

MEN'S HEALTH

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:24): Last week, I had the great pleasure to attend the Royal Flying Doctor Service annual men's health Pit Stop promotion event at the Adelaide Produce Market on behalf of the Minister for Health (Hon. Jack Snelling). The Pit Stop event invites men and women of all ages to come for a free medical assessment. The aim of the Pit Stop is to promote the importance of going to see your local GP regularly and maintaining a good and healthy lifestyle.

As I am sure members are aware, men are far less likely to consult with a medical practitioner on a regular basis to stay on top of their medical needs. On average, men live approximately five years less than women; the gap is also, unfortunately, significantly higher for Aboriginal men.

Here are some interesting statistics I would like to share with members: in South Australia there are roughly 638,000 males 18 years or older. It is estimated that of that population 8,294 have suffered a stroke, 47,212 suffer from coronary heart disease and 44,660 are suffering from type 2 diabetes, something I can relate to. That is, 91,872 men, or 15.7 per cent of the adult male population have suffered or are suffering from conditions which can be prevented. Sadly, close to 3,300 men in Australia die of prostate cancer, equal to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually. About 20,000 new cases are diagnosed in Australia every year. While prostate cancer is most common in men over the age of 50, younger men with a history of prostate cancer in their family are at greater risk.

At last year's Pit Stop event there were almost 200 participants, with eight referred to their GP within 48 hours. This year, only one participant was referred to their GP for high blood pressure. At this year's event, a total of 52 per cent passed all tests, a rate which is up on last year. One gentleman who had attended last year's Pit Stop event weighing in at 200 kilograms, returned this year having lost 30 kilograms and he has pledged to the Pit Stop crew that they will not recognise him next year, which is a very positive result.

In South Australia, the major causes of premature death are: heart disease, lung cancer and suicide. Sadly, in most cases, these deaths are preventable through lifestyle changes, medication and treatment. One-third of the total burden that disease places on the Australian people is from preventable conditions. Things like smoking tobacco, alcohol misuse, poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity contribute to chronic disease and thus put extra strain on an already struggling health care system.

The link between lifestyle choice and chronic disease is clear. Events like Pit Stop are paramount if we are to educate our communities on the importance of seeing one's GP and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce the amount of people suffering when they do not have to. One of the easiest and most effective ways that men can take care of their health is by getting to know their GP and having a check-up at least once a year. My hope is that we could host a Pit Stop event here in Parliament House and to that end I have written to the Hon. Jack Snelling, Minister for Health, seeking his support for such an event. This would allow members and staff to have their: chassis, torsion, extractors, fuels additives, oil pressure and duco checked.

Finally, I would like to thank and commend the Royal Flying Doctor Service for its exemplary work in organising and running Pit Stop 2013. I would also like to thank Glaxo-Smith Klein, the Adelaide Produce Market and the Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables Industries for their incredible support in making Pit Stop a reality once again. This is a very important cause and one that is very close to my heart.