Goodes promotes Men’s Health Week

Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, joined Minister for Sport, Kate Lundy, and Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes at AFL NSW/ACT headquarters at Moore Park to highlight Men’s Health week (starting Monday 11 May).

They were joined by several players from the Sydney Swans Academy and Flying Boomerangs squad to illustrate the benefits of staying healthy.

Mr Snowdon paid tribute to the positive work the AFL was doing around the country to promote healthy lifestyles for men.

“I want to say thank you to the AFL and to the Swans for the work they’re doing to encourage young men to understand they can do things they may never have imagined,” he said.

“You don’t always have to win a Brownlow to be achieving things – being healthy and being with your mates and looking after each other is an achievement.”

Swans co-captain Adam Goodes said the Swans work hard to encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

“Being a professional athlete we try and encourage young kids to make the right choices and be educated enough to make the right choices,” he said.

“We try and teach [Swans Academy players] about eating the right things, staying active and making sure they listen to their coaches.

“Not everyone aspires to be a professional athlete but what we’re telling kids out there is to be active and be in a state of mind where you can make the right choice.”

Mr Snowdon said young men, in particular, often ignored their health, indulging in too much booze and being prone to engage in risky behaviour.

“Young blokes have a tendency to feel bullet proof. But too much booze, smoking and other risk taking behaviour can have serious, immediate and long-term consequences,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Too many young fellas end up at emergency departments after drunken tomfoolery goes wrong.

“Young men also often don’t notice the effect alcohol and drug abuse may have on their bodies.

“It might be a decade before the side effects come back to haunt you. That’s why it’s important young men understand what you do now can either help or hurt you down the track,” Mr Snowdon said.

Senator Lundy said the event highlighted the positive impact sport, especially team sports, can play in preventative health.

“It’s well known that moderate, regular exercise is one of the best prescriptions for a healthy lifestyle.

“But team sport and working out with a mate can also have a positive impact on tackling anxiety and depression.

“Men no longer have to adopt a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude when it comes to their health, it’s okay to talk to a mate if you are feeling down. Teaming it with a work out is even better,” Senator Lundy said.

Mr Snowdon said statistics from population health surveys showed men aged between 18-24 are much more likely to require treatment for injuries (making up around 80 per cent of all cases).

Young men are also less likely to eat enough fruit and vegetables and account for two thirds of all deaths from injury – the most common causes being road crashes and falls.