The time has come to check your engines, Newcastle lads.

It’s well known in Australian society that men tend to care more for their cars and tools than they do for their bodies and health.

And with men between the ages of 25 and 64 three times more likely to die of heart disease, twice as likely to die of lung cancer and almost twice as likely to die of a stroke than women in the same age group, the need for a regular check up has never been so important.

With this in mind, Hunter New England Health is holding a Men’s Health Pit Stop program in Newcastle to better educate men about health issues and basic health checks.

“The Pit Stop is based on a mechanical concept, likening body parts to an engine,” HNE Health Allied Health Research and Project Officer Ken McKenzie said.

“And we’re issuing a challenge for men to put their bodies in the pit stop to see whether they pass or whether they are issued with a ‘certificate of unroadworthiness’ to be followed up by their General Practitioner.”

The dangers of alcohol consumption will also be a topic raised at the Men’s Health Pit Stop program. Alcohol consumption dramatically increases the chances of men developing cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.

“One of the messages we try to get across is exactly what constitutes a standard drink. One of the tests we do at the Men’s Health Pit Stop programs is to have the guys pour what they think is a standard drink of beer, wine and spirits. You would be amazed how many underestimate the amount of alcohol in any drink,” Mr McKenzie said.

The next Pit Stop will be held TOMORROW, Saturday 16 October at Newcastle PCYC, corner of Young and Melbourne Street, Broadmeadow between 9am and 3:30pm.

Contact: Abbey Wright

Phone: (02) 4921 4477