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Men's Health Week runs 15–21 June 2026. Australian men live 4.1 years less than women, are three times more likely to die from suicide, and 61% skip regular GP check-ups. Most leading causes of male death are preventable.Men's Health Week runs from 15–21 June 2026, and this year the message from Australia's health authorities could not be more direct.
The 2026 national focus of Men's Health Week is "101 Reasons to See Your GP" encouraging men to take action when something changes and not put their health on hold.
The theme of this year's national men's health week reinforces regula contact with your GP is a better option rather than visiting them reactively, when something goes wrong. The data shows the cost of that approach.
The Gap: Men vs. Women
in Australia
The health gap between Australian men and women is not a minor statistical quirk. It is a consistent, measurable pattern across almost every major health indicator and it is largely driven by choices and behaviours that are within reach of change.
The average life expectancy for Australian males is 4.1 years lower than for females 81.2 years compared to 85.3 years.
More men than women die from almost every non-sex-specific health problem, and more men die from diseases that can be prevented.
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The leading causes are not mysterious. Heart disease, type 2 diabetes, lung cancer, and prostate cancer are among the most common causes of male death in Australia.
Deaths from injury are 2.6 times more common in men than in women, and more than 9 in 10 people killed at work are men.
Research also suggests that a reluctance to seek help and poor lifestyle choices contribute largely to premature deaths in approximately 62% of men.
Why are Men missing out on preventive care?
The problem is not that men do not care about their health. It is that many have grown up with the belief that seeking help is unnecessary if they feel okay — and that "feeling okay" is the same as being well.
Research shows that two in three Australian men wait too long before seeking help when something does not feel right. In the Ten to Men study their research revealed that 61% of men aged 18–55 said they did not visit their GP for a general health check-up.
"The majority of men did not engage in regular health check-up visits, representing a missed opportunity for preventive health care." Research published in BMC Health Services Research (Ten to Men study data) |
Men tend to postpone medical help until their conditions become more severe, which results in delayed diagnoses and worse health outcomes. Lower consultation rates translate into lost opportunities to detect and intervene with problems early.
How can regular check-ups make a difference?
By addressing risks before they become serious, men can improve their long-term health, independence, and quality of life.
A GP visit for a general check-up can identify elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, early-stage diabetes, and mental health concerns. Many of these conditions have no obvious symptoms in their early stages, which is exactly why waiting until "something feels wrong" is a risky strategy.
Medicare funds a one-off comprehensive assessment for men aged 45–49, focused specifically on preventing chronic disease. From this age, cardiovascular risk assessment, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening all become essential checks. For older Australians, regular health monitoring and check ups with a GP reduces the likelihood of hospitalisation, and means conditions are managed proactively rather than waiting for a crisis.
What should you ask your GP?
Not sure where to start? These are the core areas to cover with your GP, regardless of age.
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Support at Home makes a difference.
For older Australians or those living with chronic conditions, regular health checks do not sit in isolation. They work best when supported by consistent day-to-day care — help managing medications, getting to appointments, staying active, and maintaining a healthy routine at home.
Just Better Care Support Workers provide practical, compassionate support that helps clients stay on top of their health between GP visits. Whether it is transport to appointments, assistance at home during recovery, or regular check-ins from a trusted Care Partner, those consistent touchpoints make a real difference to long-term health outcomes.
Men: Make the Call
Men's Health Week is an opportunity to encourage Australian men to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Book a GP appointment, ask the questions you have been avoiding, and take the first step toward understanding where your health actually stands.
If you have a Dad, partner, brother, son, or mate who regularly avoids going to the doctor, Men's Health Week is a good excuse to start a conversation and remind them it's for their own good!
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