Men's Health

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, regarding the absence of a targeted men's health policy in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria have all recognised the importance of addressing men's health through dedicated policies and frameworks. These policies are designed to tackle the unique health challenges faced by men and boys, ensuring their specific needs are met. For example, Western Australia released its Men's Health and Wellbeing Policy in 2019, which provides clear strategies to improve the physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of men and boys. Similarly, New South Wales has implemented the New South Wales Men's Health Framework and Victoria has developed the improving men's health and wellbeing strategic directions.

In contrast, South Australia, which once had men-specific health policies, no longer appears to maintain such targeted strategies. This is despite well-documented differences in health outcomes between men and women and the necessity for gender-specific approaches to health care. Men are at a high risk for certain health issues, including heart disease, mental health disorders and preventable injuries. There are concerns that a gender-neutral approach is currently being adopted in South Australia. My questions to the Minister for Health are:

1. Considering that states like Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria have implemented targeted health policies for men, why does South Australia lack a specific men's health policy?

2. Given the federal government's national men's health strategy, which acknowledges the importance of gender-specific health approaches, why has the South Australian government not developed or maintained policies and strategies specifically for men's health and wellbeing?

3. Does the government recognise the longstanding need for a dedicated men's health policy in South Australia and, if so, what steps will be taken to address this gap?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question and I would be most pleased to pass that on to my colleague the member for Kaurna and Minister for Health, Chris Picton, in another place and bring back a reply.