17 March 2008

Hunter New England Health is inviting men put their bodies over the pits at the Tuncurry Memorial Hall (Old Picture Theatre), Point Rd Tuncurry on Saturday 5 April between 10am and 2pm.

Statistically, men are a pretty unwell mob, generally dying of almost all causes earlier than women.

Pit Stop is a free health check-up program, which likens parts of the male anatomy to an engine. There are 14 different stops including those where men can have their oil levels (blood pressure) tested, spare tyre (girth) checked and asked if they have a balanced wheel alignment (falls prevention).

Forster’s Community Health Centre worker and ‘Head Mechanic’, Phil Long said that the mechanical concept brings an element of humour to men’s health and removes it from a clinical setting.

The challenge to men from the Great Lakes and surrounding communities is to see if their body will pass the pits with flying colours or be needing follow-up maintenance work.

"Men, put a challenge out to your mates to work out who’s got the Hot Rod. Come and do yourself a favour and visit our Pit Stop Crew for your free health check," Phil said.

"We hope the Pit Stop program helps men learn about health issues they haven’t paid much attention to. We want me to then take this knowledge to the community through their sons, mates and work colleagues."

The Pit Stop program is a proud partnership between the health service staff of Forster Community Health Centre, Rotary Club of Great Lakes and the Lower Mid North Coast Community Forum on Health.

Contact: Kay Cope

Phone: 6776 9817