Time for Armidale men to recharge their bodies

2 March, 2009

Most men take an interest in maintaining their vehicles. But how about their bodies?
The Armidale Community Health Centre is inviting men to put their bodies over the pits at the Armidale Show on Friday, 6 March.
Statistically, men are the sickest group in society after the Aboriginal community, and are more likely to die of all selected causes than women.
Pit Stop is a free health check-up program, which likens parts of the male anatomy to an engine. Men can have their oil levels (blood pressure) tested, spare tyre (girth) checked and asked if they check their ball bearings (testicles) regularly.
Armidale Community Health’s Marilyn McCarthy said that the mechanical concept of Pit Stop brings an element of humour to men's health, and removes it from a clinical setting.
“The challenge to the men from Armidale and surrounding communities is to see if their body will pass the pits with flying colours or be needing follow-up maintenance work,” Mrs McCarthy said.
“We hope the Pit Stop program helps men learn about health issues they might not have paid much attention to. Hopefully, any knowledge they pick up will then ripple out to the community to their sons, mates and work colleagues.”
The free program is an initiative of Hunter New England Health's Tablelands Cluster to promote the idea of men maintaining their body at an optimum performance level.
The Pit Stop stand will be open to the public on Friday, 6 March at Armidale Show, between 10am and 4pm.

(HNE-1758)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183