Cape York celebrates International Men’s Health Week

Men’s health has been top of the agenda for Apunipima Cape York Health Council as they celebrated International Men’s Health Week.

Men’s Health Manager Bernard David said the week was a good opportunity to focus on the challenges and opportunities within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men’s health sector.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have the poorest health outcomes of any other population in the country,” Bernard said.

“That’s why we have a dedicated men’s health team to help us help men.”

As part of the local Men’s Health Week events, Men’s Health Worker Michael Bowie teamed up with Tobacco and Healthy Lifestyle Worker Zahn Dunn to run an information stall on nutrition, diet and chronic disease.

“Each day after lunch we also planned a get-together with the boys and men to do activities that interest them,” Michael said.

“The activities were designed to improve the mental, physical, and social health of the boys and men. We work alongside them, to support them and improve our understanding of how their health is shaped by various aspects of their lives.”

Apunipima’s Men’s Health team provides a range of services to help men and supports programmes like men’s groups, boys’ groups, healthy relationships education, Deadly Choices healthy lifestyle education, and culturally appropriate activities like on-country camps.