Men's health

In the NT, men tend to have higher rates around diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

There are cancers specific to men, such as testicular and prostate. Each year, 80 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the NT.

Health surveys show that men smoke more tobacco, drink more alcohol, are less active than women and have a higher rate of depression and suicide.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in the NT, several factors contribute to poor health.

This includes the effects of generational trauma from being disempowered and through loss of culture.

Men who are mentally and physically strong:

• have healthy lives
• have positive personal and professional relationships
• actively contribute to the community.

To raise awareness around improving men's health, there needs to be a focus on prevention, including approaches that target the different stages of a man's life.