According to research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men make fewer visits to the GP or to mental health professionals than women. This is despite men carrying the greater burden of disease. The Australian Men’s Health Forum also found that 4 in 5 men admit to not turning to professional support when they’re struggling.
Dr Jack Blomeley from Balgowlah Family Practice says that there are a number of reasons why men might avoid a visit to the GP.
“It could be that they don’t have enough time or they are too busy,” he explains. “But often it’s also a fear of something major being wrong that they are not ready to address.”
He also acknowledges the stigma that exists for men’s health, arguing that changing this stigma starts with open communication.
“It’s OK not to be OK,” he says. “It starts with friendship and family circles, where it can be so useful to put some of these struggles out in the open.”
He adds that professional support for men has come a long way over the decades. “It just starts with a chat to help find that path forward.”
Don’t wait for the warning signs
According to Dr Blomeley, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Australian men over 50. He says that regular check-ups help a GP to identify and address the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.
“What many people don’t realise is that there are often no warning signs for these conditions, and prevention starts many years before symptoms,” he explains.
For men under 50, suicide is the leading cause of death. Dr Blomeley sees regular check-ups as part of mental health care as much as physical health care.
“Having someone you can talk to for pragmatic advice, or even just be heard is an invaluable way to help prevent this,” he says.
“Regular check-ups are an important way to have a medical professional outside of your social circles review any health concerns, stress-related problems and plan a path forward to prevent illness and disease before they appear. They're also a great way to establish a relationship with a regular doctor you know and trust.”
What to expect at a check-up
“A men’s check-up simply starts with a chat,” Dr Blomeley says. “What is bothering you? What are you concerned about? And how can I help?”
From there, the GP goes through your personal medical history, your family history and your social history. There is also a physical examination, typically including a blood pressure check, height and weight measurements and listening to the heart, along with anything else that came up in the conversation. If needed, the GP can organise blood tests or imaging and talk through the results with you.
“Putting this all together, it serves to identify potential health concerns in the present as well as how to best prevent them from developing in the future,” he adds.
Check-ups should become more frequent with age
For a healthy, active man without a significant family history of medical conditions, Dr Blomeley recommends a check-up at ages 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40. Those early visits help build a relationship with your GP and ensure everything is on the right track.
“From the 40s onwards, it is a good idea to have a check-up at least every two years,” he adds. “From the age of 60, I think every person should have a check-up at least once a year. If there is a family history of medical conditions, or if someone is struggling, then it should be more often.”
“Warren Buffet is famous for his analogy of looking after your health compared to that of the maintenance of a car. Your body is the car of your dreams, but you only get one and it can never be replaced. If you're servicing your car once a year, then why would you not invest in servicing your physical and mental health for the maintenance of the best (and only) used vehicle that you'll ever own.”
Asked for one piece of advice, Dr Blomeley kept it practical: “Exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, rest when you need to and get regular medical check-ups.”
This article was written as one in a series for International Men’s Day 2026. By recognising this day, we’re helping to put men’s health and wellbeing on the agenda.