Men's Health focus Creating a positive environment for men By Peter Strange Much is known about the medical aspects of men's health and research has been conducted into prost cancer, erectile dysfunction, androgen deficieney and depression. However clinical developments and new ‘eatments are ineffective it health systems fail acknowledge the importance of men engaging with health professionals, Men need to be supported to participate in positive health and to access health services that operate in a male friendly manner ‘The development and implementation of a community health based men’s health, program in the regional city of Bendigo in central Vietoria provides a valuable insight the needs of men and supports, gender specific priorities. The wodel was developed by Bendigo Community Health erviees (BCHS) using a triangulated approach to bring together community health promotion and workplace based men's heath initiatives to support the establisiiment and ongoing needs of friendly health clinic, Central ‘male to the design of the model was the Men's Health Nurse Practitioner Demonstration Project, supported by the Vietorian Department of Human Services and BCHS, Service delivery focused on preventative health p ina rural sotting that account of engagement Strategies that are sensitive 1 need for timely access to care, be it at the local sale yards or on site the men’s health clini ‘he recent endorsement (of a men's health nurse practtion in th health program hass greatly increased the reach and scope of health care for men wit ‘the community, particulary in the areas of workplace health promotion and rural outreae ‘The BCHS men's health program has received a great deal of positive feedback, ‘The growing mimber of male participants who aecess services through the program shows that many aspects of model align with, and respond to, the needs of the majority of men in this rural region. With the current heightened awareness of men’s health throughout the nation there is an inherent need ane! demand for men's health workers, including nurses, who have an interest in this area. ‘The experience at BCHS confirms that men interested in their health ind will engage in positive health practices if they are in-an environment which, ‘supporis these positive th practices, inall areas of care not just th can help provide this environment. Hopefully this brief outline will encourage others to consider specialising in this much needed area of care, ‘To this end it would be wonderful to hear from other nurses who already involve themselves in men’s health initiatives orhi fe future interest in (Mer ‘Nurses are urged to apply for two- year Fellowships that aim to address ‘evidence-based gaps in clinical practice. The National Heath anc Medical Resaarch Council (NHMRC) {is inviting early to-mid career health professionals witha cornmitment to improving heath car in Australia to ‘apply for a 2008 NHMRC National Instituto of Clisoal Studies (NICS) Fellowship. NICS isan institute within the NHMAC and works to improve healtheare by geting heath and ‘acieal research into pracie. ‘The Fetowships provide heath professionals with mentoring, traning, national and international etworking and practical suppor to ensue thor success. Appications close eatly in July 2007. For more information visit ‘ww nhmre.govauiics Statins for prostate cancer ‘Statins may protect against prostate Canoat, research has found. Results from The Finnish Prostate Cancer Screening Tal ftom 1996 102004 ‘of more than 23,000 men found a 50% reduction inthe rate of prostate Cancar in men who took stains ‘Compared to nonssers. The overall ‘ccurrence rate of prostate cancer was 49% in statin users compared 108% in non-users. The canoes ‘eduction was not seen in men on ‘thor cholester-owering drugs. Men's Sheds ‘Men's Sheds have been expanded ‘crass rural and remote commundies to help address the physical, ‘emotional and socal wellbeing of ‘men, including the current crought ‘and its impact on health. Non-poft ‘organisation Mensheds Australia set ‘up in 2002to engage men induding the elderty, youth, indigenous, and velorans in rural and urban areas, to address isolation, loneliness and depression. More than 80% of 200 Men's Sheds are in non-metropoktan areas. For more information, vs ver mensheds.com.au Confidential survey Men ae being encouraged to take par ina confidential nine survey te exploce the relationship between penis size and body image. The La Trobe University survey is aimed to help develop strategies for heath promotion in men's sexual and reproductive health. Previous research has found siz was an issue for many men at various ite sages, Including adolescence, sex or the first ime and with a new pariner. \wewwmensbocies.com ad boron | Rutan Nursig Juma 31